Allergic to Autumn?

Mould spores released from rotting leaves and a rise in house dust mites can turn Autumn into a season of sneezing.

Whereas most people assume they’re suffering from a common cold due to the turn of weather, a more likely explanation is that they are experiencing allergies bought about by dryness in the atmosphere.

Professor Jean Emberlin, who works with charity Allergy UK, says that when people turn on their central heating for the coming winter, they are unknowingly producing the perfect warm, dry environment for dust mites. Dust mite droppings can trigger eczema, asthma and rhinitis.

Prof. Emberlin recommends hanging your washing indoors to add humidity to your house, or leave windows and doors open for short periods of time throughout the day to get cool air circulating.

Dead leaves can also be a culprit for triggering cold-like symptoms in Autumn. Moisture in the air increases the number of mould spores, which can land in the moist lining of the nose and mouth, causing non-stop sneezing.

As well as triggering frequent sneezing fits, Autumn can also trigger skin problems such as hives and cold-induced urticaria, which occurs with sudden temperature changes and often results in painful swellings and light-headedness.

A number of alternative treatments can be used to soothe cold-like symptoms as well as skin problems.

Chinese herbal medicine is known to treat skin conditions via the mixing of certain concoctions containing specific herbal remedies.

View the original Daily Mail article.