Fall Allergies Across the Map: What to Expect and How to Cope
As summer fades, fall allergies ramp up across the country. Ragweed and mold are the biggest culprits, but triggers and timing vary depending on where you live.
Spring vs. Fall Allergies: What Changes?
Spring is dominated by tree pollen (oak, cedar, maple, elm, birch) and grasses. Symptoms often come on suddenly—sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and fatigue—because pollen counts spike quickly from February to May.
Fall, on the other hand, brings ragweed (peaking August–October) and mold from damp leaves and grasses. Ragweed pollen grains are tiny, travel for miles, and are highly allergenic. Mold thrives after rain and in piles of fallen leaves. While symptoms overlap with spring, fall often brings more asthma flare-ups, itchy skin, and lingering fatigue, especially in humid or warmer states where the season stretches until the first frost.
Regional Allergy Hotspots
Washington (Pacific Northwest): Ragweed is less intense but still present. Mold is the main trigger, thriving in the region’s wet fall.
Florida (Southeast): With warm, humid weather, pollen and mold seasons rarely end. Ragweed, grass, and trees like oak and elm extend symptoms nearly year-round.
Arkansas (Mid-South): Ragweed peaks late summer through September, often lasting until the first frost. Tree and grass pollens also run high.
Texas (Regional differences):
DFW: Ragweed dominates late summer into fall, with mold peaking after rains.
Austin/Central Texas: Ragweed season is followed by mountain cedar pollen in December (“cedar fever”), giving little relief.
Houston/Gulf Coast: Humidity fuels mold growth, while ragweed and grasses stretch allergy season into November.
El Paso/West Texas: Dry desert air reduces mold, but ragweed and wind-blown dust still cause symptoms.
Dr. Atoosa’s 9 Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors
Even in peak allergy season, you can still enjoy time outside:
Check pollen counts daily with apps like Allergy Plus.
Take a non-sedating antihistamine about an hour before outdoor activity.
Use nasal sprays: steroid sprays preventively, antihistamine sprays on high-pollen days.
Protect your skin barrier with moisturizer and allergen-free SPF 30+.
Apply nasal gel to reduce reactions by keeping nasal passages moist.
Wear wrap-around sunglasses to block pollen from eyes.
Carry tissues and blow your nose often—it’s your body’s natural pollen-clearing mechanism.
Rinse with saline mist after returning indoors.
Stay hydrated to support your immune system and reduce allergic response.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re in damp Seattle, sunny Miami, the heart of Little Rock, or the sprawling landscapes of Texas, fall allergies can take a toll. Recognizing whether your symptoms are tied to spring or fall triggers—and following a daily preventive plan—can make the difference between feeling miserable and enjoying the season.