COLORADO SPRINGS — If you’ve been sneezing, coughing or dealing with itchy eyes lately, you’re not alone. Allergists say fall allergy season is hitting its peak across southern Colorado.
The biggest trigger is ragweed pollen, which the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says can travel for hundreds of miles and cause sneezing, watery eyes and scratchy throats. Outdoor mold is also playing a role, especially with recent rainfall leaving behind damp grass clippings and wet leaves where allergens thrive.
Dr. Eric Caplan, an allergist with Colorado ENT & Allergy, said the season usually runs through October.
“But around then is when we really get a good frost or two, and that's when the pollen's really dying off,” Caplan said. “Now you're still going to have cat and dog, maybe still a little bit of mold too, but at least that signals the end of ragweed season.”
Doctors recommend several steps to ease symptoms:
- Avoid outdoor activities between 5 and 10 a.m., when pollen counts are highest.
- Stay inside on windy days and keep windows closed.
- Limit yard work that stirs up mold and pollen.
- Consider over-the-counter medications or consult an allergist if symptoms become severe.
Severe allergic reactions can include wheezing, hives or shortness of breath, particularly for people with asthma.
Caplan emphasized that people don’t need to suffer in silence.
“You don't have to be miserable. You shouldn't miss work or school,” he said. “Allergies are going to be maybe part of your life, but there's help. There's ways to deal with it.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether symptoms are caused by seasonal allergies or actually being sick, since both can lead to sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue. But there are key differences:
- Seasonal allergies typically do not cause a sore throat, cough or fever, while colds often do.
- Allergies may cause puffy eyelids or dark circles under the eyes, which are not common with a sickness.
- Unlike colds, allergy symptoms tend to return at the same time every year and persist for weeks.
Doctors say allergy symptoms should begin to ease after the first hard frost or snowfall.
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