{"id":2606,"date":"2021-10-21T17:35:12","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T21:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entofga.com\/?p=2606"},"modified":"2021-10-21T17:35:14","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T21:35:14","slug":"seasonal-sneezing-managing-fall-allergies-asthma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entofga.com\/seasonal-sneezing-managing-fall-allergies-asthma\/","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal Sneezing: Managing Fall Allergies & Asthma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may think that allergy season is over when the leaves on the trees at Grant Park<\/a> begin to change colors, but unfortunately for many, this is not the case. Ragweed, mold and dust mites are allergens that can cause symptoms well into fall. Below we review what causes fall allergies and strategies for managing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Allergies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Your immune system works to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, their immune system mistakes harmless substances as dangerous intruders and overreacts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to fight off the intruder, your immune system releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which causes your cells to release histamine. Histamine increases your mucus production and triggers inflammation, swelling and itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Manage My Fall Allergies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are medical and non-medical strategies to manage allergies<\/a> in the fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical Strategies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first line of defense against allergies is to take an antihistamine. Antihistamines are available in oral, eye drop and nasal spray form. Options include OTC non-drowsy medications like Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec; older-generation OTC medications like Benadryl; and prescription antihistamines like hydroxyzine and carbinoxamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option that works long-term is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is available in either allergy shot or allergy drop<\/a> form. Both work the same way: they introduce small amounts of allergens into the body so the immune system can build up a tolerance. Immunotherapy is a three- to five-year commitment. The first step in starting immunotherapy is to get an allergy test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-Medical Strategies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Non-medical strategies for preventing allergies involve practicing avoidance of allergens. Strategies include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n