Fall allergy season generally starts in mid August and can last through the first few weeks in November. Knowing what the triggers are and how to minimize your exposure to them will help you enjoy life in spite of your allergies.
Ragweed Pollen-As its name indicates this is a weed. It is ironic that the weed that causes the most problems for allergy sufferers is so nondescript in appearance. It is tenacious and can grow in cracks in parking lots. Researchers estimate that it sends out over a million granules of pollen during the season which can then be blown for miles by the wind because they weigh so little.
Keeping weeds trimmed in your yard will help, as will scheduling outdoor time for early mornings and late afternoons. Limit air exchange by keeping windows and doors closed and using air conditioning to maintain comfortable temperatures. If you do the yard work at home, wear a mask to minimize the amount of pollen you inhale; then wash clothes and hair immediately when returning inside to minimize the pollen that gets indoors.
Mold-Looking at the big picture, mold is necessary because it facilitates decay and returns nature to its original state. But if you are allergic to it, knowing that is probably of very little comfort. Moisture means mold so the dryer you can make the area around you home, the more likely you are to reduce the immediate outdoor mold count.
Remove fallen leaves from your lawn before they have a chance to because wet and packed down from rain. Letting them sit at the curb for municipal pick up may be free, but it's expensive for allergy sufferers because of the airborne spores that this will surely generate. Removing dead limbs and keeping the property free of debris will minimize mold growth.
Dust and Dust Mites-If the weather does not call for the use of heating/air conditioning ducts during the summer, starting the heating in the fall will send out all sorts of particulates that have had months to accumulate. These allergy triggers can include household dust, pet dander, and dust mites-all of which are renowned triggers.
Change the filters on your central system before starting the heat. Vacuum the ducts that are on the floor to eliminate particles that have fallen in during the spring and summer. Use an air cleaner to help eliminate airborne particles that result.
As you are probably aware, managing allergies is not just about doing one thing, it's about using many tools that each do their part to help minimize the triggers to which you are sensitive. And using a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier to minimize the airborne particulates that will still enter your home is a tool that every management plan should have.
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