August 07, 2026 | Black & Kletz Allergy
As summer fades and crisp autumn air begins to roll in, many people look forward to pumpkin spice lattes, colorful foliage, football games, and cooler temperatures. But for millions of Americans, Fall also marks the return of an unwelcome seasonal visitor – Fall allergies.
If you find yourself sneezing more often, rubbing your itchy eyes, or constantly reaching for tissues as the leaves begin to change, you are not alone. Fall allergies affect millions of people every year and can make even the most beautiful season feel miserable. Understanding what causes Fall allergies and knowing how to manage them can help you enjoy everything autumn has to offer.
What Causes Fall Allergies?
Unlike Spring allergies, which are primarily triggered by tree and grass pollens, Fall allergies are usually caused by ragweed pollen. Ragweed is a common flowering weed that begins releasing its pollen in the late Summer and continues well into the Fall until the first hard frost. Typically, in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, ragweed begins around August 15 and ends at the end of October.
What’s surprising is that a single ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains in a single season. These lightweight pollen grains can travel hundreds of miles via the wind, meaning that one doesn’t have to live near ragweed plants in order to experience allergy symptoms.
In addition to ragweed, other common Fall allergy triggers include:
Mold spores – Thrive in damp leaves, compost piles, and wet grass
Dust mites – Is stirred up when heating systems are turned on
Pet dander – Especially as people spend more time indoors
Other weeds – Pigweed, mugwort, plantain, cocklebur, lamb’s quarters
These allergens can trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation and uncomfortable allergy symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Fall Allergies
Fall allergy symptoms can easily be mistaken for the common cold. Typically, allergies generally do not cause a fever and often last much longer than a typical viral illness.
Common Fall allergy symptoms may include:
Sneezing
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Post-nasal drip
Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and/or throat
Watery eyes
Red eyes
Coughing
Sinus pressure or headaches
Fatigue
Asthmatics may also notice worsening symptoms during allergy season, including chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and/or shortness of breath.
Why Fall Allergies Seem Worse Some Years
If your allergies seem more severe than usual, you are not imagining it. Weather patterns can have a significant impact on pollen levels.
Warm days followed by cool nights create ideal conditions for ragweed pollen production. Dry, windy days spread pollen farther through the air, while rainy days often provide temporary relief by washing the pollen away. However, damp weather can also encourage mold growth, creating another allergy trigger.
Climate changes and longer growing seasons have also extended ragweed seasons in many parts of the country, causing allergy sufferers to experience symptoms for weeks longer than they did in previous decades.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
While you cannot eliminate pollen entirely, you can take sensible steps to reduce your exposure.
Stay Informed
Check daily pollen forecasts during allergy season. They are available on our Black & Kletz Allergy website under Today’s Pollen Count at the top of our homepage. On days when pollen counts are especially high, consider limiting outdoor activities, particularly during the morning hours when pollen levels often peak.
Keep Windows Closed
As refreshing as cool autumn air can be, keeping your home’s windows closed helps prevent pollen from entering your living space. Use air conditioning when possible and be sure to replace air filters regularly.
Shower After Spending Time Outdoors
Pollen sticks to your hair, skin, and clothing. Taking a shower and changing into clean clothes after outdoor activities can prevent allergens from spreading throughout one’s home and onto one’s bedding.
Clean Your Home Regularly
Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Dust surfaces frequently and wash bedding weekly in hot water to reduce allergens such as dust mites.
Wear a Mask for Yard Work
Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, and gardening can stir up large amounts of pollen and mold spores. Wearing a properly fitted mask during outdoor chores and activities may help reduce one’s exposure.
Finding Relief
Many inpiduals find relief with over-the-counter allergy medications. Antihistamines may help reduce sneezing, itching, and runny noses, while nasal corticosteroid sprays are often effective for treating inflammation and nasal congestion. Saline nasal rinses can also help flush allergens from the nasal passages.
If your symptoms persist despite treatment, interfere with your daily activities, or trigger asthma exacerbations, it is time to consult an allergy specialist like the ones at Black & Kletz Allergy. Our board certified allergists can help identify your specific allergy triggers and recommend treatments such as prescription medications or allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization).
Don’t Confuse Allergies with a Cold
Because many symptoms overlap, it may be difficult to determine whether one is dealing with allergies or a “cold.”
A “cold” usually develops gradually. It often is associated with body aches or fever and generally resolves within 1 to 2 weeks. Allergy symptoms, on the other hand, often begin shortly after exposure to allergens, typically involve intense itching, and may continue for weeks or even months as long as the allergen exposure persists.
Enjoy Fall Without the Sneezing
Fall is one of the most enjoyable seasons of the year. From apple orchards and pumpkin patches to hiking trails covered in brilliant autumn colors, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. Fortunately, allergies do not have to keep you sidelined indoors.
By understanding your triggers, monitoring pollen levels, practicing good allergy prevention habits, and seeking appropriate treatment, when necessary, you can significantly lessen your symptoms and make the most of the season.
So, as the leaves begin to fall and sweater weather arrives, do not let seasonal allergies steal your enjoyment. With a little preparation and the right care, you can breathe easier and fully embrace everything autumn has to offer.
Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations in the Washington, DC metro area. We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA which all offer on-site parking. The Washington, DC and McLean, VA locations are Metro accessible and there is a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. Please call us to make an appointment or you can click Request an Appointment, and we will reply within 24 hours by the next business day. The board certified allergists of Black & Kletz Allergy are eager to help you with your Fall allergies. In addition, we also diagnose and treat all types of allergic conditions including allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), asthma, allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies), hives (i.e., urticaria), swelling episodes (i.e., angioedema), sinus problems, eosinophilic conditions, food allergies, medication allergies, insect sting allergies, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), eczema (i.e., atopic dermatitis), and immune deficiencies. We have been serving the residents of the Washington, DC metro area for more than 50 years. The allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy are dedicated to providing excellent state-of-the-art care to you in a pleasant and attentive atmosphere.
