People in Delaware towns like Lewes and Middletown who suffer from allergies may dread when the particular season that causes their sinus congestion arrives. Spring brings discomfort to some because of the pollination of trees, and the grass pollination common in early summer can make some individuals sniffle and sneeze. But individuals who are sensitive to allergens in the autumn likely have weed pollination, particularly from ragweed, to blame. If a person is allergic to mold, they may suffer from allergies year-round, whether the mold is inside or outside their homes. Finding a way to get cleaner air and adopting lifestyle changes can greatly diminish the degree to which many suffer from their fall allergies.
Common Fall Allergy Triggers in Delaware
Although it is an innocent-looking weed with yellow flowers, ragweed is often the most common cause of pain to allergy sufferers in Delaware in the fall season. It grows in city areas, but it is particularly common in rural locations. One ragweed plant may produce nearly one billion grains of pollen in a season, and it usually blooms in August and brings misery to those who are allergic to it well into the fall.
People who suffer from ragweed allergies may feel confused if their allergy symptoms persist past the end of ragweed season, but this may be an indication that they also suffer from mold allergies. Outside mold spores typically pop up in the beginning of spring, and their strength can become much more pronounced before the fall, just before the first frost occurs. During the day, the spores float high in the atmosphere before dropping close to the ground in the evening, when temperatures dip. Mold inside the home must be removed in order to get cleaner air, typically by using an air conditioner, which can quickly air out a residence.
Because temperatures often hit the range between the high 60s and mid 70s during the fall months in Delaware, allergy sufferers may notice discomfort due to the prevalence of dust mites, which thrive in these temperatures. Luckily dust mites generally become fewer in number once humidity goes below 70 percent, so it is important to keep a lower humidity level, via a dehumidifier or air conditioner, in the home to combat them.
Protective Options for Allergy Sufferers
A great way to keep pollen and mold spores from affecting you when you drive is by turning on your vehicle’s air conditioning while you keep your windows closed. If you try to keep your breathing to a minimum for a few minutes, you should notice that the air soon becomes cleaner because this process removes some of the mold spores from your car.
Washing your clothing and bedding frequently during allergy season can bring some relief. Vacuum often with a vacuum cleaner that features a HEPA filter. This device removes much of the pollen that has settled on a home’s carpeting and cleans the air, making it easier to breathe.
Mold collects on decaying leaves. By keeping up with your yardwork and raking dead leaves frequently, there are less mold spores around for you to breathe in.
Clean Air Improves Allergy Symptoms
Using a dehumidifier and washing clothing frequently is a great way to cut down on the amount of dust mites in a home. Running an air conditioner at night, particularly if the unit features a HEPA filter, can purify your breathing air, leading to a sounder sleep and fewer sneezing episodes.
Natural Methods Can Decrease Fall Allergy Suffering
It is always important to get medical advice or treatment before taking allergy medication, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter products. One natural way a person can remove pollen from itchy eyes is to regularly scrub his or her eyelids with gentle baby shampoo. Changing the filter in your home’s furnace or air conditioner can cut down on the number of allergens that move through the residence as the devices circulate air.
Foods that Can Alleviate Fall Allergy Symptoms
Foods high in vitamin C can alleviate blocked sinuses, so eating plenty of broccoli, berries, and peas in the fall in Delaware can make an allergy sufferer feel much better. Vitamin A helps improve allergy symptoms and has benefits for individuals who experience asthma, so kale, carrots, cantaloupe, and romaine lettuce are excellent foods to eat.
Understanding what causes fall allergies to flare up can help you decide if your living environment needs cleaner air to combat allergy suffering. Allergy symptoms can diminish when a person uses natural and home remedies that can combat the effects of allergens on people with these sensitivities. By making a few simple adjustments in your home and life, individuals in Delaware can enjoy the benefits of autumn when they alleviate their fall allergies and feel more comfortable at home and outdoors.
For clean air solutions that help reduce pollen and other fall allergy triggers from your home, contact an HVAC technician and learn about ways to keep allergens at bay. First Class HVAC has been helping residents in Delaware find the best clean air products for their homes for over 40 years. Contact us today to find ways to keep the air in your residence clean and comfortable.