When people think of allergies, they think of the classic hay fever – that is, an allergy to pollen. The main seasons are spring and summer. But “[…] Climate change is further fueling allergies. First, the pollen season is getting longer due to climate change. And: More pollen is flying every day and the pollen is becoming more aggressive, said Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Director of Environmental Medicine at Augsburg University Hospital, on the occasion of the World Climate Summit 2022.
The flight time of pollen and thus the suffering time of allergy sufferers is prolonged. The extremely mild temperatures in early spring and the exceptionally warm winters ensure that pollen counts are high almost all year round,” writes the German Allergy and Asthma Association on its website.
What blooms in autumn?
Depending on what you’re allergic to, fall isn’t the end of the suffering for some allergy sufferers. Temperatures drop and days get shorter, but there are still some allergens out there. Pollen from ragweed, mugwort, nettle, plantain, and grass can linger into November.
Ambrosia – Health hazard
This is particularly scary for allergy sufferers. Ambrosia plantwhich blooms from late July to October. Ambrosia pollen is particularly aggressive and therefore irritates not only allergy sufferers. Contact with the plant can cause asthma or cross-allergies with banana and melon.
Allergy sufferers should always know in advance what the pollen level of “their” pollen is if they want to do anything outdoors. Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) created a page that shows the current pollen count in 3 hourly intervals for the whole of Bavaria. Also the pollen count calendar The German Weather Service offers all important information for allergy sufferers.
Mold on autumn leaves as a possible allergy trigger
Basically, the pollen count in the air is lower in the fall than in the spring or summer. That’s why allergy researchers are looking for other triggers for fall allergies. Dried fall leaves are also suspected of containing allergens — such as mold. Along with pollen, house dust mites, and pet dander, mold is one of the most common allergy triggers.
Symptoms after gardening or walking?
Do you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, or even asthma attacks after gardening? Then you should get tested for mold allergies.
Mold thrives where there is organic material and moisture. It doesn’t just thrive in homes, such as attics, basements or bathrooms, they say. Doctors’ Journalbut they are also increasingly found outdoors in the fall. Molds thrive in soil, leaves, or rotting wood. They reproduce by producing tiny spores that float in the air in a similar way to pollen. During gardening activities, the spores are stirred up and inhaled. The moist air of fall also increases the release of spores.
THE American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) from Milwaukee gives some tips on how to reduce contact with mold.
How to avoid contact with mold
- Avoid mowing the garden, piling up leaves or Leaf blower use. They not only stir up leaves, but also a lot of dust from dried animal feces, pollen, bacteria, and mold spores. If handling leaves cannot be avoided, a mask will protect you from inhaling the allergens.
- Autumn walks in the woods amidst piles of rustling leaves are taboo.
- Also compost pile are a source of mold spores. That’s why they should be as far away from your home as possible.
- A tip that applies to all types of pollen allergy sufferers: do not dry your clothes on a clothesline outdoors. Pollen and spores settle there.
- Do not store wood for the fireplace inside the house.
- The following applies indoors: Be careful not to overwater plants, as wet soil is an El Dorado for mold.