Minneapolis/St. PAUL – As the cool autumn breeze ushered in a new season, many people are looking forward to the beauty of the changing leaves and the comforts of fall and winter. However, for those prone to allergies, seasonal changes can present a different set of challenges.
John Moore, MD, of the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview, shares an introduction to fall and winter allergies, including their causes, common symptoms and effective management strategies.
ask: Can you explain the difference between fall and winter allergies? What are the common triggers for each season?
Dr. Moore: In the fall, typical allergens are weeds and mold. The most common weed is called ragweed. This usually starts in August and reaches its peak in September. and continues until the weather gets very cold, usually in November or December. The amount of mold in the air changes depending on the weather. If it’s rainy, humid, or windy, mold levels may rise. Even thunderstorms can make things worse.
Contributed/University of Minnesota Medical School
In the winter, when everything outside is frozen, it’s easy for us to become allergic to things in our home. This includes pets (such as cats or dogs), dust mites, and cockroaches. Not everyone needs to worry about cockroaches, depending on where you live, although some apartment buildings or schools may have cockroaches no matter where you are.
ask: What’s the connection between fall and winter allergies and other respiratory illnesses like asthma? How do these conditions interact and influence each other?
Dr. Moore: The link between allergies and asthma is known as the “single airway hypothesis.” This means that when the nose becomes inflamed from allergies, it can also inflame the lungs, triggering asthma symptoms. These symptoms may include coughing, difficulty breathing, or wheezing. In general, exposure to more allergens makes asthma symptoms worse.
In my job, my goal is to control allergy and asthma symptoms. If we address one without the other, it can still trigger asthma, which is why it’s important to recognize the connection between them. About 40% or more of allergy sufferers also have asthma. When people come in for diagnosis, we often ask about both conditions because they are often related.
ask: How to differentiate between allergies, colds and COVID-19?
Dr. Moore: First, allergies often cause itchy eyes, a runny, stuffy nose, and sometimes a cough. They should not cause fever. If you have a fever, it’s more likely a sign of a viral illness like COVID-19 or a cold. Extreme fatigue from COVID-19 or the flu is not common with allergies. While allergies can make you feel a little tired, that’s not the same as the extreme exhaustion caused by a virus. Muscle pain is another symptom more associated with viral illnesses like COVID-19, colds, or flu.
Loss of taste and smell are not common symptoms of allergies. Allergy symptoms can also last for months if you continue to be exposed, whereas most viral illnesses usually don’t get better for one to two weeks.
ask: What are some strategies for preventing or treating fall and winter allergies? Are there any lifestyle changes or preventive measures individuals can take?
Dr. Moore: Dealing with fall allergies can be challenging, especially pollen allergies. At allergy clinics, we recommend using air conditioning instead of opening windows at home and opening car windows. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the fall, it’s a good idea to shower before bed to wash off any pollen you may have picked up.
As for winter allergies, they mainly come from indoor irritants. If you are allergic to dust mites, you can use unique mattress and pillow covers to help repel them. Lowering the humidity can also have an impact, as dust mites thrive in moist environments. Regular cleaning, such as vacuuming and using an air filter, may help, especially if you are allergic to dust mites or pets.
There are a variety of medications available, many of which can be purchased over-the-counter. For example, antihistamines, nasal steroids, and eye drops can relieve symptoms. For a longer-term solution, allergy immunotherapy, such as allergy shots, can address the root of the problem rather than just relieving symptoms.
ask: What do you find most fulfilling as a physician and University of Minnesota faculty member? How can it help improve your outpatient care outcomes?
Dr. Moore: One of the great benefits of working at M Physicians is the excellent teamwork among healthcare providers. With our electronic medical records system, we can easily communicate with multiple providers caring for the same patient. This is particularly beneficial for patients with overlapping health issues, as we can tap into the expertise of different specialists. I was fortunate to receive a response to my message the same day, allowing me to adjust their care immediately.
Collaboration between specialists, general practitioners and internists is extremely valuable. Being able to update them on any unexpected findings or changes in the patient’s condition helps ensure smooth ongoing care. This can be quite challenging when you are not in the same system, but having a messaging system that allows for timely responses can be very beneficial and beneficial.
Dr. John Moore
is an allergy and immunology physician at the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview. His clinical interests include asthma, atopic dermatitis and eczema, cough, drug allergy, environmental allergy, food allergy, urticaria and urticaria, and chronic sinusitis.