Allergy sufferers may deal with less mold, more ragweed this fall
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- With the new season, comes autumn allergies. Luckily, Pittsburgh-area allergy sufferers might get a reprieve this fall because of the dry summer.
The moderate-to-severe drought conditions mean mold allergies may not be as much of a problem, but the drier weather means less rain to tamp down airborne pollen.
That's why ragweed is the chief culprit for those who suffer from itchy eyes, sneezing, and noses that are somehow runny and stuffy at the same time.
Doctors say there are some things you can do to prevent allergy outbreaks.
"Some people, what they do is take over-the-counter histamines like Allegra, Zyrtec, [and] Claritin before they mow their lawn or rake the leaves. They might wear a mask, and most importantly, they will take a shower after they work or rake in the garden," according to Dr. Pramod Kelkar, an allergist at Allina Health Woodbury. "If you want to prevent allergies, the best thing you can do is use a sinus rinse, or neti pots, every day [and] shower every evening, because that way, you can wash off all the allergens."
If you're not able to get your allergies under control with over-the-counter methods, it might be time to talk to your doctor about a referral to a specialist.