What Causes Fall Allergies and How to Combat Them

Watery/itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, and constant sneezing. Sounds like you may have a cold. Actually there is a good chance you are not sick at all, these symptoms, especially this time of year in Colorado, could be caused by allergies or whats more commonly known as Hay Fever. Mine have gotten the best of me, so I did a little research on what causes them and how to combat their symptoms.

Despite its misleading name, the allergic reaction is, in fact, rarely triggered by hay. The myth dates back to the 1800s when British doctors discovered that people exposed to cut hay or grass resulted in sneezing and itching, producing nervousness, which was referred to as a "fever." Thus, the term hay fever was coined. If allergies bother you in the fall, you’re most likely sensitive to one or more of the following molds, weeds, trees, or grasses. Ragweed is an especially big cause of allergies each fall. That and mold. And many of Colorado's native plants only pollinate in the fall months including Russian Thistle, Sagebrush and Cedar Elm.

Fall allergies are sometimes unexpected, which is why they are often mistaken for the common cold or sinus infection. If you have a runny nose, don't presume it's a cold. Allergies do cause runny noses, but the drainage tends to be clear. With a cold, the drainage can turn yellowish to greenish. Also, colds can be accompanied by symptoms of fevers, chills, and muscle aches. If the cold symptoms last for 14 days, it's likely you are actually experiencing allergies even if you've have never indicated allergies previously.

Unfortunately, if you do have fall allergies caused by foliage and trees, there is no cure, and they won't go away until the first frost of the season. But there are proactive measures you can take.