7 Foolproof Tips to Combat Fall Allergies at Home

Just when you thought the worst of the summer wildfires and barbecue smoke was over, you might be in for a frustrating surprise come fall. If you suffer from allergies, the first few weeks of fall don’t always bring relief. There’s still plenty of pollen, pollutants and mold in the air to cause sneezing, coughing, streaming eyes and more. Worse still, these allergens can follow you into the home, so even being indoors doesn’t offer respite. Here’s how you can live fall to the full with 7 foolproof tips for overcoming fall allergies. 

What Causes Fall Allergies?

If you thought pollen in spring was the biggest trigger of the year for your allergies, talk to a farmer. They know that fall means harvest season, stirring up a whole lot of dust and organic debris. Even if you’re not living in a rural area, there’s still the menace of ragweed in fall to contend with, not to mention mold and fungal spores as humidity levels rise. Keats might have called autumn the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”, but for many of us suffering from fall allergies, it’s simply a season to miss for its miserable hopelessness. That is, of course, unless you try these 7 foolproof tips. 

Use High-efficiency Air Purification

No surprises for guessing what the #1 solution on the list would be, because there’s really no topping a proper air filtration system featuring our Green True HEPA filter. Our Coway Airmega series serves a range of spaces, from small rooms to extra-large offices. These purifiers run quietly but work hard, removing larger dust and pollen particles with a pre-filter, and the tiny airborne particles down to 0.1 microns with the Max2 filter. 

In just a few minutes, a single unit can deliver a noticeable improvement in indoor air quality, so you’re not fighting for breath or sneezing indoors. The Airmega Aim, for example, provides 360-degree air purification to maximize purification capacity round-the-clock.

Clean and Vacuum Regularly

Don’t give dust or pollen anywhere to settle. Carpets and rugs in particular can harbor irritants and allergens. You might want to wear a mask while you’re vacuuming or cleaning in case any dust is disturbed but get into a regular routine of wiping down window blinds and shelves, vacuuming floors, and cleaning surfaces. 

Watch Humidity Levels

As September turns to October, you’ll feel the rise in dampness and humidity in your joints and bones. That’s if you’re not sneezing already. Humid air is a fertile breeding ground for mold and fungi and the spores can be inhaled and carried deep into the lungs. In some cases, that can cause debilitating illness. Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in the air so that mold and mildew have no time to develop. The drier air should feel more comfortable too. 

Wash Your Face and Shower More Often

This isn’t a question of personal hygiene. Rather, it’s an easy solution for reducing the amount of pollen and dust that we bring inside every time we’re coming from outdoors. It collects on our eyelashes, in our hair, and on our clothes. Leave coats and boots on a hallway rack and sluice away any allergens from your face with warm water each time you come indoors. If you have time, treat yourself to an invigorating warm shower, especially before bed.  

Use Allergen-Proof Covers

On the subject of bed, be aware that mattresses, pillows and comforters all trap dust mites, pollen, pet dander and dust. You may already be wondering why you start sneezing or your chest tightens a short while after you’re comfortably tucked up in bed. Try a set of allergen-proof covers to trap the most common triggers and give you a peaceful night’s sleep. 

Reduce The Number of Indoor Plants 

As an allergy sufferer, you’re probably ambivalent about house plants as it is (although some non-flowering shrubs and ferns are actually great for cleaning the air naturally). All the same, take any perennials or evergreen flowering plants out of the house in the fall and store them in a glasshouse or outhouse that won’t go below freezing. Roses, dahlias and sunflowers can all bloom in fall, so let them savor the sunshine outdoors, where their pollen can’t irritate your sinuses. 

Clean or Groom Pets

Your dog probably loves romping around in leaf litter in the fall, which also happens to be the time of year when they’re developing their thicker winter coat. Both can have uncomfortable consequences for anyone who’s sensitive to pet dander. Clean your pets if they’ve been hurtling through brush or long grass, and have them groomed to keep hair and dander to a minimum around the house. 

The most decisive proactive measure you can take as soon as summer reaches its end, and before mold and mildew in winter start to reach their peak, is to install a 24/7 air purification system in your living space. That’s the only way to guarantee that you’re pre-filtering the larger particles, removing odors and volatile compounds with a charcoal filter, and trapping the invisible (but still irritating) particles with the Green True HEPA filter. Just search our store to find the best match for your living space, whether you want a smaller unit for a single room, or a more powerful model for the living room or other communal areas. 

Visit the Coway blog for more tips to stay healthy this season.

Sources:

Allergy and Asthma Centers 7 Tips for Dealing with Fall Allergies