Chances are, you, a family member or friend are beginning to sneeze and suffer from a runny nose.

It’s the time of the year for seasonal allergies.

Fall in Florida means allergies that are often hard to keep under control. Certain plants like ragweed and cedar elm begin to bloom and produce pollen in late summer.

Mold is also a common allergen that can be found anywhere and their spores can travel through the air.

Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad, a Board Certified physician with Allergy Sleep & Lung Care offers some tips to keep fall allergies and asthma under control:

  1. Gauge what causes your symptoms. The most common factors for allergies in the fall are ragweed, mold, mildew and dust mites.
  2. Avoid pollen. Pollen counts are usually higher after dawn. Avoid bringing pollen into your home by closing windows. Immediately change any clothes that have been worn outside. If you must go outside, check the pollen count regularly, especially on warmer days.
  3. Check for mold outdoors. Outside mold can be found in leaf piles and rotting logs, so it is important to clear the perimeter of your house to prevent it from spreading.
  4. Check for mold indoors. Indoor mold and mildew can be caused because of summer rain and live in damp areas. Make sure there are no leaks or damp spaces it will be able to grow.
  5. Clean your house regularly. Dust can also pile up during the summer when may people are busy with family activities, so think about giving your house a fall scrubbing. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean floors, furniture and drapes.
  6. Wash your bedding often. Take extra time to carefully clean the bedroom, as it is the place you will be spending the most time. Wash your sheets once a week and eliminate heavy drapes and bed covers.

Knowing the common triggers is the first step to preventing allergies and asthma.

If these steps do not help allergy and asthma symptoms, it’s important to have an allergy test done.

Everyone reacts to allergens differently, and there are medications and treatments for severe allergies that can help you breathe easier and improve your quality of life.

Contact us to learn more about our allergy and asthma treatments.