North Richmond Today

• Fall allergies typically begin in August and can last through October.

• To diagnose allergies, doctors may recommend either a blood test or a skin test.

• Some treatments options include over-the-counter medications, nasal sprays and immunotherapy.

Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is warning people about the danger of leaving allergies untreated in children. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is one common type of allergy that can be treated.

“The paranasal sinuses and the nose and the airway are linked because of airflow and because of their mucosa, and how they react to allergens and other agents could irritate either one,” Ditto told North Richmond Today. “What we know is that if a patient has allergic rhinitis at a young age as a child, and it's not managed, they can then form asthma.”

People who suffer from seasonal allergies typically start to feel the effects of fall allergy triggers in August, as ragweed begins to release pollen, according to WebMD. These symptoms can last through September and October as well. The wind can carry ragweed pollen for hundreds of miles, so people who don't live where ragweed grows can still be affected.

Another common fall allergy trigger is mold, which can grow in piles of damp leaves. Seasonal allergy sufferers could also be affected by dust mites, which can stir as people begin to turn on the heat in their homes in the fall. Dust mites are also common in schools, and they can affect students returning to their classrooms. Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes and noses.

Typically, doctors will review the patient's symptoms and medical history to diagnose allergies, and then they may recommend either a blood test or a skin test. For a skin test, the doctor will place a small amount of the allergen on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic to that particular allergen, a small, itchy bump will appear.

Depending on the type and severity of a patient’s allergies, Mayo Clinic says that various treatment options could be recommended, including over-the-counter medications, nasal sprays, allergy shots, immunotherapy or carrying an emergency epinephrine shot, such as an EpiPen, for severe allergies.

If you’re interested in learning more about treating allergies, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.