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4 Ways for Older Adults to Manage Fall Allergies

Just like spring allergies are a pain, fall allergies are also very irritating for many people because of dust, weeds, and plants that only thrive during the colder months. When these fill up the air, people suffer the same symptoms they would during spring like congestion, itchy eyes, post-nasal drip, and much more. 

If you’re someone who can’t enjoy fall as much as they would like because of allergies, please take a look at the list below of four ways to better manage your allergy symptoms. We also included some tips on how to know when to get professional help.

Common Fall Allergy Symptoms

Fall allergy symptoms can affect everything from your sense of smell to how your eyes feel. Check out the common symptoms below and then see the detailed report to get a better understanding of how your body is reacting to the seasonal change.

  • Nasal: congestion, loss of smell, redness, runny nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, or stuffy nose
  • Eyes: itchiness, puffy eyes, redness, or watery eyes
  • Respiratory: breathing through the mouth or wheezing due to congestion of nasal tract
  • General: coughing, fatigue, headache, itching, phlegm, or throat irritation

Download a more detailed allergy report

Don’t Mistake Sickness for Allergies

Besides allergies, many of the symptoms above can also indicate sicknesses like a cold or flu. If you find that the tips below aren’t helping your symptoms, or you have other signs that show something else is wrong (body aches, chills, severe headache, etc.), you’ll want to talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to help you find the right diagnosis and treatment immediately.

Alzheimer’s and Allergies

It’s also important to note that it can be especially difficult to diagnose seasonal allergies for those with Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementias. If you notice a sudden change in behavior in someone with Alzheimer’s – increased restlessness and wandering, more agitation, difficulty sleeping, or other deviations from the norm, you may want to see if allergies are the cause. Just keep an eye out for increased nasal drip, irritation around the eyes, or a constant clearing of the throat and get professional help as needed.

Four Ways to Manage Allergies

Here are some of our top four ways to take control of allergy symptoms and to start feeling better so you can enjoy the cooler season!

Limit your time outdoors

Of course, you can limit how much time you’re spending outside, but you might also be more conscious of the places you’re visiting. To ensure that you’re still getting fresh air, think of spending time at places that don’t trigger your symptoms like indoor malls, gyms, etc. That way, you can still get out of your home to get exercise, but won’t have to worry about breathing in any allergens!

Take antihistamines if possible

Antihistamines are medications that stop the effects of histamines in your body, which get triggered when something harmful enters your system. They are extremely effective at preventing allergy symptoms and stopping effects of an attack, but you will want to consult with a doctor first before taking them.

Vacuum and remove dust more often

It can be tough to maintain your home during the colder months, but it’s a must to take away any debris that will trigger your allergies! Create a vacuuming and dusting schedule for yourself and make a point to stick to it by remembering that you’ll feel that much better when everything is clean.

Use an air purifier

Using an air purifier is a great way to take control of your allergies, because it continuously removes the allergens in the air you breathe at home. All you have to do is be conscious of changing any filters or cleaning the purifier as needed. The instructions to do this are normally included in the packaging when you buy a new purifier.

Additional Resources

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

Allergies, Flu, or Cold?



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