Fall allergies are caused by different triggers than spring and summer allergies, but they can cause just as many symptoms. The most common cause of fall allergies is ragweed, which is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. Ragweed pollen is released with cool nights and warm days in August and can last into September and October. About 75% of people allergic to spring plants also have reactions to ragweed. Other plants that trigger fall allergies include burning bush, cocklebur, and pigweed.

Mold is another fall trigger. Mold spores grow quickly in heat and high humidity, and they can be found in damp areas inside and outside the house, such as basements, bathrooms, and piles of damp leaves. Dust mites are also common during the humid summer months, but they can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your heat in the fall, triggering sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

The symptoms of fall allergies are often no different from other seasonal allergy symptoms, including itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. To diagnose fall allergies, a doctor can help find out what’s causing your watery, itchy eyes and runny nose. Theyll talk to you about your medical history and symptoms, and may recommend a skin test.

Here are some tips to combat fall allergies:

• Keep windows closed at night to prevent ragweed pollen from entering your home.
• Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
• Wash bedding and clothes in hot water to kill dust mites.
• Wear a mask when doing yard work.
• Talk to your doctor to determine if you’re a fall allergy sufferer and to discuss the best medicine.