According to the Natural Resources Defense Council ("NRDC"), Richmond ranks NUMBER ONE as the “sneeziest and wheeziest” city in the nation. Richmond has also been at the top of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “allergy capitals” list for two years in a row. The report details the top 35 U.S. cities most vulnerable to the combination of pollen and ozone pollution and warns that climate change is leading to worsening levels of allergy and asthma.
The National Climate Assessment , a federal report released last year, confirms what was in the NRDC report, warning that both ozone levels and allergens would likely worsen due to climate change.
"This is bad news for allergy sufferers and asthmatics because both ragweed pollen and high levels of ozone smog can trigger asthma attacks and worsen allergic symptoms in adults and children," the NRDC report said.
Now that Fall is in the air, the biggest allergy trigger during the fall months is ragweed. The weed typically begins releasing pollen with warm days and cool nights in August and can last into November.
According to an article published on WebMD, there are 17 different species of ragweed in the U.S. These plants are most common in the rural areas of the Eastern states and Midwest, but are found throughout the U.S. Scientists estimate that a single ragweed plant can release one billion grains of pollen over the course of a single ragweed season. And the grains are so light that they float easily even on gentle breezes. Pollen has been detected as far as 400 miles out to sea and up to two miles up in the atmosphere.
Finally, though it may sound strange, studies have shown that certain foods and drinks can affect your seasonal allergies. One of the reasons for this is that some foods and drinks contain histamines, which can both cause or worsen allergies. Many items that are aged, pickled, or fermented have naturally-occurring histamines and can lead to sneezing, itching, coughing, and headache. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, eating and drinking fermented foods could make your symptoms worse.
Certain foods can trigger oral allergy syndrome, a condition that causes pollen-induced allergy-sufferers to experience an itchy mouth or throat after eating certain fruits and vegetables. This happens because some of the proteins found in these fruits and vegetables are related to those found in the pollens that cause the seasonal allergy. The fruits and vegetables to avoid depend on the related pollens; for example those with grass allergies should avoid celery while those with ragweed allergies should avoid zucchini.
So, unless moving is an option, here are some tips to help combat fall allergies!
- Wear oversized sunglasses to block airborne pollens and molds.
- Avoid outdoor line drying of clothing and bed linens on a high pollen day.
- Consider exercising indoors on very high pollen days. Pollen levels may peak during the mid-day and afternoon, and are generally higher on warm, dry, windy days.
- Get confirmation that you have seasonal allergies, with simple in-office tests.
- Begin treatment with medications such as nasal antihistamines, oral antihistamines, steroids and eye drops even before symptoms start. (Check with your doctor before beginning any OTC treatments)
- Talk to your doctor about allergy shots, which can slow the progress of allergic disease.
- Shower and shampoo nightly to to rinse pollens from skin and hair. Change clothes before entering your bedrooms to keep pollens out.
- At home and in the car, keep the windows closed and set your air conditioner to "recirculate." Clean filters in room air conditioners frequently. Do not use fans that suck outdoor pollens into your living area.
- Eliminate weeds from your yard and plant allergy-friendly greenery such as azaleas and begonias;, palm, pine, fir and dogwood trees; hibiscus, boxwood and yucca shrubs.
