Do you have a trip to the pumpkin patch planned with the family? Don’t get spooked by sneezing and skin rashes; allergens can still catch up with you in the pumpkin patch. Let’s discuss the common reasons why you might feel sniffly after your day out and ways to find relief.
Common Outdoor Allergens
The pumpkin patch could harbor three main allergens: mold, dust and ragweed.
Mold
People who suffer from mold allergies may experience severe flare-ups in the fall. As temperatures fall, rainfall picks up, and nights grow longer, moisture lingers on the ground for longer, creating the damp, dark conditions in which mold thrives. In particular, farms can experience mold growth due to the irrigation of their crops, and those crops, in turn, have a high water content, which can facilitate mold growth as well.
It’s not hard to find a moldy pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, and disturbing that pumpkin and breathing in those spores is sure to aggravate your allergies.
Dust
As you walk along the pathways between the rows of beautiful orange pumpkins, the dirt and dust from the path will get kicked up. If there isn’t too big a crowd that day, this may not be too noticeable, but on days of heavy foot traffic, the air can get very dry and dusty. That dry air will dehydrate your throat, exacerbating a dust allergy.
Ragweed
We’ve written about ragweed before, and that’s because it can be a heavy hitter for people with seasonal allergies even after the traditional allergy season has ended. It blooms in August and September, and the pollen may still be airborne or clinging to the flora and fauna into October. In an area like a meadow or farmland—like a pumpkin patch—it’s likely that ragweed grew or grows prolifically nearby, meaning you’re pretty likely to encounter its pollen as you spend time in the pumpkin patch.
How to Manage Allergies
Don’t let allergies ruin your lovely day at the pumpkin patch. Reduce your chances of an allergic reaction by making the necessary preparations. Take allergy medications, such as antihistamines, in the days leading up to your outing to build up antihistamines in your body and counteract a reaction. On the day of the trip, cover up to avoid skin contact with allergens: wear a scarf or mask over your nose and mouth and wear long sleeves and gloves. It’s not a bad idea to bring some allergy cream, too, in the event of a skin rash after coming in contact with an allergen.
You may also consider immunotherapy if your symptoms are especially severe and over-the-counter medications don’t provide the relief you need. Our clinic can administer allergy shots and allergy drops to help you build tolerance to an allergen and decrease your body’s sensitivity to it. Call us today to find out more.
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