Fall is officially here and it’s not just the pumpkin flavored treats that have arrived. Seasonal allergies are in full swing.

You may hear more about allergies during the spring when many suffer with tree pollen allergies. But many people will suffer with fall allergies as well. One of the most popular is the ragweed plant. Ragweed starts pollinating in late summer and can continue through September or October depending on if the weather stays warm during this time. Mold is another cause of fall allergies. Furnaces can circulate mold spores when your heater runs in the colder months.

Fall allergy symptoms are similar to other seasonal allergy symptoms. Some symptoms are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals, ear congestion, postnasal drainage, and headache.

There are things you can do to keep allergens at bay. Clean your house regularly, change your clothes after you have been working outside, even shower to remove the pollen from your body and hair.

A common question patients ask is “How can I tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and seasonal allergies?” COVID-19 is an acute illness. Most people develop Covid symptoms between 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Those symptoms can last 10 to 14 days (may differ from person to person) and will usually appear in most within the 14-day exposure window. Allergies are more of a chronic issue. A lot of seasonal allergies typically develop as mild symptoms and last for the fall season. Covid often causes shortness of breath or trouble breathing, body aches, and muscle aches, which don’t always happen with allergies. You may get a runny nose with Covid similar to allergies. But you don’t lose sense of smell or taste when it is your allergies, like you might if you have Covid. It may be hard to know or tell the difference between Covid and your fall allergies. Always check with your provider to see if you think you are suffering from allergies or if you might need to be tested for Covid.

Fordland Clinic offers Covid testing at both of our locations. Call 417-767-2273 and press 9 to speak with a Covid team member about testing. For all other question or appointments please call 417-767-2273 (Fordland) or 417-739-1995 (Kimberling City) and follow the prompts for dental and medical appointments.