Oregon’s mild winters and lush greenery are what make our state so attractive to live in, but these factors are also what make allergy season so long. There’s something in the air almost year-round in Oregon, and fall can be an especially grueling time of year for people with hay fever.
What’s Causing Allergies in Fall
As we discussed in our blog post last week, ragweed is a big culprit of allergy symptoms in the fall. Sagebrush, too, is a big contributor to pollen counts in the fall. These plants release microscopic pollen particles into the air to pollinate neighboring plants and reproduce. If a person with hay fever inhales this pollen, it will trigger an immune response that causes well-known allergy symptoms: itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, etc.
Oregon’s Influences on Allergy Season
Temperate Climate
Oregon has a temperate climate, meaning it has four distinct seasons but doesn’t reach extreme temperatures, so our winters aren’t too cold and our summers aren’t too hot. Because of this, Oregon is hospitable to a wide diversity of plants, which can enjoy longer growing seasons than they would elsewhere on the continent. This means they are releasing pollen sooner and longer.
Climate Change
Climate change exacerbates the effects above, extending the growing and blooming season with warmer temperatures and later frost dates. In a study of 11 locations in the U.S. and Canada, 10 of those locations have seen an increase in the ragweed pollen season since 1995, with the changes more pronounced in the north than in the south. This means that allergy sufferers are exposed to the pollen for longer and experience more severe symptoms as the season wears on.
Poor Air Quality
While the abundance of trees in Oregon usually gives us nice, clean air, that tends to change around this time every year. In the past few decades, wildfires have become much more common in the Pacific Northwest, moving from a relative rarity to a near-annual event. The good news is that smoke allergies are relatively rare; the bad news is that poor air quality from wildfire smoke can irritate the airways, worsening allergy symptoms even when pollen levels are moderate.
How to Handle Fall Allergies
Without a doubt, fall allergies in Oregon can pack a wallop. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your symptoms and enjoy the outdoors more comfortably.
- Take your meds. Over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, will help with sneezing and itchy eyes. Nasal sprays can cleanse your airways of irritants and relieve congestion.
- Check pollen counts. The local weather forecast includes a daily pollen count. Try to stay indoors during peak pollen times, such as the morning and early afternoon.
- Keep windows closed. Don’t let errant pollen into your home! Shut the windows in your home and car to keep the air clear.
- Use HEPA filters. Consider investing in HEPA filters for your heating or cooling systems. These high-quality filters capture tiny airborne particles and don’t recirculate them, keeping indoor air clean for breathing.
- Shower and change your clothes. If you were outdoors, especially on a high-pollen day, take a shower and throw your clothes in the laundry immediately upon returning home. This will wash any pollen off your body, and the steam from the shower may help with congestion.
If at-home and over-the-counter remedies aren’t bringing the relief you need, or if fall allergy season in Oregon is simply too unbearable for you, consider allergy shots or allergy drops to manage your symptoms long-term. This treatment desensitizes your immune system to the allergens that trigger your reactions, which will decrease your reactions over time. Call us today to learn more.
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