September 21, 2026
How to prepare for fall and winter allergies
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (September 21, 2026) – It happens every year, yet somehow still catches us off guard. Shifts in weather and the height of pollen season cause sneezing, coughing, congestion, and itchy eyes for allergy and asthma sufferers. You may be one of millions of Americans who suffer from fall and winter allergy symptoms, but having an action plan that includes treatment can help.
“It’s not a myth that every year sees a more powerful and symptom-filled allergy season,” says allergist Cherie Zachary, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “And this year is no exception. Dry, windy days during the fall season can be bothersome since ragweed pollen is kicked up and circulated in the air, often traveling hundreds of miles. Climate change has caused allergy season to start earlier and land harder than in previous years.”
ACAAI offers the following five tips for staying ahead of fall and winter allergies and keeping your sneezy and wheezy days to a minimum.
1. Minimize your symptoms – Take over-the-counter allergy medicine for two to three weeks before symptoms begin. Plan to stop taking medication about two weeks after the first frost as pollen can linger, along with symptoms. If over-the-counter remedies aren’t helping, ask your allergist is you are a candidate for allergy immunotherapy, available through shots and tablets.
2. Identify your triggers – Knowing what’s causing your symptoms is half the battle. In addition to ragweed pollen, you may be allergic to environmental allergens like dust mites, mold or pet dander, all of which can make a return in fall when people spend more time inside. Schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist who can provide testing, diagnosis, and a treatment plan that will help you feel better and live the life you want.
3. Be proactive – Whether you’re spending time indoors or outdoors, you can minimize your allergic reaction by thinking ahead on how to avoid triggers.
- If you have a mold allergy, see if a neighborhood teen might be willing to remove wet leaves and other sources that may contain mold. Better yet, have a family member who isn’t allergic handle wet, moldy, debris from your yard and/or garden.
- Consider your asthma and stay up to date on recommended vaccines, such as flu, RSV, COVID-19, and pneumococcal that prevent respiratory infections.
- Take steps to minimize dust and pet dander, such as using an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home.
- Change your clothes, take a shower, and leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen and other allergens inside.
- Keep windows closed on high pollen days.
- Check out ACAAI’s HOME Allergy Management Guide for additional tips.
4. Cleaning your house helps get rid of allergens – Because you spend more time inside in winter, allergens like dust, mold, and pet dander can cause your symptoms to be worse. Cleaning your home may be one of the best ways to lower your exposure.
- Dust: Use a wet cloth to capture allergens.
- Vacuum: Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.
- Pet Care: Have pets groomed regularly, wash your hands after petting them, and keep them out of your bedroom.
- Mold Remediation: Identify any mold growth in the home and remove it immediately. Don’t allow standing water in bathrooms or your kitchen.
5. When to See an Allergist – If allergy and asthma symptoms are getting in the way of living your life and doing the things you want to do, now is the time to see a board-certified allergist who can help identify your triggers and develop a personalized allergy treatment plan. Use ACAAI’s allergist locator to find an allergist in your area. Our Time for An Allergist campaign walks patients through when they might want to consider consulting an allergist about symptoms.
About ACAAI
The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, X/Twitter, Instagram and Threads.
