Halloween is such a fun time of year, and many people look forward to visiting a pumpkin patch with their families to pick the perfect pumpkin. But in the spirit of trick-or-treating, in order to get a pumpkin treat, you need to be prepared to be tricked by allergies.
What Causes Allergies in Fall?
Autumn features three allergens quite prominently, and you’ll find all three at the pumpkin patch: mold, dust and ragweed.
You’ve probably rolled a beautifully orange pumpkin over at the pumpkin patch before, only to discover it had a moldy, squishy bottom. Mold spores spread prolifically in pumpkin patches. It thrives in moist, dark places, and the spaces under pumpkins fit these criteria perfectly, as well as inside hay bales.
Hay bales also harbor lots of dust, which is a common allergen. You’ll also encounter dust while walking along the dirty, dusty pathways between the rows of pumpkins; your footsteps will kick up that dust, which could cause you to inhale it and have a reaction.
Ragweed is the last hurrah of seasonal allergies. Ragweed blooms late in the season—late summer to early fall—and its pollen stays in the environment for a while, even after the traditional allergy season has ended. Spending any time outdoors this time of year will expose you to ragweed pollen.
What Steps Do I Need to Take to Avoid Allergy Symptoms?
Allergy symptoms can turn a wonderful day at the pumpkin patch into a nightmare. Here are some steps you can take, both before and during your pumpkin patch day, to lessen your or your children’s symptoms:
- Cover your nose and mouth. Wear a scarf or mask to reduce your chances of inhaling allergens.
- Wear gloves. When handling pumpkins, avoid contact with mold by wearing gloves or covering your hands.
- Take over-the-counter antihistamines. OTC medications like Zyrtec or Aleve can reduce your body’s reaction to contact with an allergen.
- Bring allergy cream. If you start feeling itchy or notice a skin rash, use an antihistamine cream for quick relief.
- Don’t play in the hay. Hayrides and mazes are great fun, but hay bales harbor dust and mold. Avoidance is the best policy, especially if you have severe allergies.
- Shower and change your clothes when you get home. Rinse off any allergens that you may have brought home with you and put your dirty clothes straight into the wash.
If you’ve just come back from the pumpkin patch with a sniffly nose and can’t get relief from your allergies, perhaps consider immunotherapy. Allergy shots or allergy drops give you long-term relief from allergies by reducing your body’s sensitivity, and therefore its reaction, to the allergen. Call Lakelands ENT to find out more.
