Fall allergy season in bloom on Long Island

Long Islanders are suffering through a long and difficult fall allergy season, doctors said, and shouldn't expect any relief next year, with spring, summer and fall allergy seasons starting earlier and lasting longer due to climate change and other factors.

Dr. Shaan Waqar, an allergist at the Plainview office of ENT and Allergy Associates, said his office has been filled with patients complaining of symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and post-nasal drip.

"Some patients feel like they are always clearing their throat," he said.

This time of year, ragweed pollen is usually the culprit, said Dr. Susan Schuval, chief of the division of pediatric allergy/immunology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

"We are seeing a lot of people suffering," she said. "It could just be hay fever, but pollen can aggravate asthma as well."

Earlier this year, AccuWeather predicted a "hyperactive" weed pollen season, which is most prevalent in the fall, and a "bad year all around" for allergies in the eastern part of the United States.

In addition, the metropolitan area was one of several where tree pollen was expected to arrive early and reach higher levels than in past seasons, according to AccuWeather.

"It just seems that every allergy season that we’re seeing is just getting worse and worse for patients," said Waqar. "Climate change has a role ... It’s creating longer pollen seasons and the pollen counts have been higher."

Pollen seasons start 20 days earlier and last 10 days longer than they did 30 years ago, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Ragweed is an invasive annual weed that is expanding in eastern and midwestern states, according to the foundation. About 1 in 7 people are allergic to ragweed.

In addition, those tempting piles of raked leaves that kids love to jump in can also hide a potent allergen — mold. Those spores can trigger the same allergic reaction as pollen from ragweed.

"Bales of hay on a farm or a pumpkin patch — that’s all very moldy, " said Schuval.

Schuval said ragweed season usually starts in August and can run through November.

But not all allergy hazards are outdoors. The cooler fall weather usually brings people inside more where they can encounter allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.

Dust mites can be a big problem in the fall and winter, Schuval said.

"It’s a little teeny bug that lives in everybody's house no matter how clean it is," she said. "It’s a big trigger."

The key to keeping allergies at bay is a combination of medication and avoidance measures, experts said.

For example, if you have allergies to ragweed, wear a hat and sunglasses if you are going to be outside for any length of time, Schuval said, to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes and hair.

"Take off your shoes when you come in the house so you don’t track pollen in, and take a shower," she said.

Removing stuffed animals and rugs from a child’s room can help reduce dust mites.

For mild symptoms, an over-the-counter oral or nasal spray antihistamine might work, Waqar said.

But if severe symptoms do not ease with these medications, a specialist could recommend allergy shots.

"I always tell people that if you see an allergist, you can get a more specific treatment plan," he said. "You can also get a skin test to determine exactly what you are allergic to."

One of the most important things allergy sufferers can do is keep track of the pollen count, which is available through many weather reports.

"Ragweed pollen counts are the highest in the early mornings," Schuval said. "So it's better to go outside later in the day."

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.