Allergies in Autumn

Allergies are one of the most common afflictions in autumn, because as well as dust and/or humidity, there are other factors that increase the likelihood of allergens appearing, such as lower temperatures, using heating, etc.

In addition, allergens like pollen, mould and other fungi are more common in the autumn and trigger the typical symptoms: nasal congestion and a stuffy nose, nasal itching, watery eyes and sneezing.

Given the current circumstances, these symptoms are easy to confuse with the ones caused by COVID-19, so it is important to know the difference. You also need to bear in mind that in order to treat and prevent allergies, it is essential to know the source of the allergy.

Types of allergies

• Pollen allergy. In the autumn this is usually caused by the pollination of certain plants and trees, such as cypress and chrysanthemum. Its symptoms can be mistaken for a flu-like illness, but it does not cause a fever.
• Mite allergy. This type of allergy is triggered by both mites and animal epithelia, and is exacerbated when you spend more time indoors. It usually causes rhinitis, sneezing, asthma, and even skin rashes.
• Food allergy. At this time of year we tend to eat more high-calorie foods (as they increase our body temperature) like nuts, especially hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts, which are powerful allergens. Allergies to chia, sesame or flax seeds, which are important sources of fibre as well as allergens, are also more severe. We should not forget that this is mushroom season (shiitake, chanterelle, bolete, etc.), which can cause allergies due to their toxicity or due to the pollen from their spores. This type of allergy usually causes asthma, hives, pneumonitis and dermatitis.

As remarked above, the symptoms of these allergies can also occur with COVID-19. Therefore, we are going to tell you how to distinguish between them.

Distinguishing between an allergy and COVID-19

Due to the coronavirus and the restrictions currently in place, we are spending more time at home, so we are more exposed to dust mites, low humidity due to heating, pets, etc. As a result, some allergies and their symptoms may be aggravated: sneezing, asthma, coughing, etc.

If you start to show symptoms, you should be extremely vigilant because, while an allergy and COVID-19 share some of the same symptoms, the main difference lies in the fact that COVID-19 causes fever, fatigue, and loss of taste and smell.

Given the gravity of the current situation, if you have symptoms and are in doubt, you should see a doctor so that you can get a reliable diagnosis.

How can you prevent allergies in the autumn?

According to the types of allergies and their causes, here are a set of recommendations to prevent them:

• Keep your home properly ventilated and avoid overusing the heating.
• Replace the filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems, to prevent air from being pumped in with pollen or dust mites.
• Wash your sheets frequently and keep cuddly toys away from children’s beds.
• Dust your home regularly, especially the bedrooms. You should use specially designed cloths to prevent mites from being spread around or becoming airborne.
• Avoid eating allergy-causing foods and have a first-aid kit to hand to treat any allergies that may triggered.
• Check the expiry date of all food items, especially ones that produce mould.

Is wearing a mask beneficial?

The mandatory use of masks is beneficial for allergy sufferers, as it not only protects them against the coronavirus but also against allergens.

In fact, a study on the filtering power of face masks for pollen and dust (conducted by the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology’s Expert Committee) concluded that using approved face masks reduces the amount of pollen and dust particles in the air we breathe in by up to 80%, making them an effective tool for reducing allergy symptoms.