Asthma can feel worse in the fall because cooler air, ragweed pollen, mold, changing weather, and respiratory illnesses can all irritate the airways. For people with asthma, these seasonal changes can lead to more coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. School aged children may also encounter more respiratory illnesses as they return to classrooms and activities.
At AFC Urgent Care Edgewater, we help patients in Edgewater, MD, and the surrounding Annapolis area manage non life threatening allergy concerns by providing same-day seasonal allergy treatment. Our clinic is open seven days a week, with weekday hours from 8 AM to 8 PM and weekend hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, so you can get treated when symptoms need attention.
Why does asthma get worse in the fall?
Fall brings several common asthma triggers that can affect your breathing. Ragweed pollen can trigger asthma symptoms, while damp leaves and changing weather can increase exposure to mold. Cooler, drier air can also irritate the airways, especially during outdoor activities.
Common fall triggers include:
- Ragweed pollen: Fall pollen can cause allergy symptoms and trigger asthma attacks in people who are sensitive to it.
- Mold: Damp areas and decaying leaves can increase mold exposure, which may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Cool air: Breathing cold, dry air can irritate the airways and make breathing more difficult.
- Respiratory infections: Colds, flu, RSV, and other infections can trigger asthma flare ups.
Can fall allergies trigger an asthma flare up?
Yes. Seasonal allergies and asthma often occur together, and exposure to pollen can cause both allergy symptoms and breathing problems. If you notice coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness after spending time outdoors, allergies may be contributing to your symptoms.
You can reduce exposure by checking pollen conditions, changing clothes after spending time outside, showering before bed, and keeping windows closed when pollen levels are high. If allergy symptoms continue to affect your breathing, we can evaluate your symptoms and provide appropriate urgent care.
When should you seek urgent care for asthma symptoms?
You should seek same day medical evaluation when asthma symptoms are noticeably worse than usual or are not improving with your usual treatment plan. Increasing wheezing, persistent coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath can indicate that your symptoms need medical attention.
Consider visiting urgent care when:
- Breathing symptoms are increasing: New or worsening shortness of breath should not be ignored.
- Symptoms interfere with normal activities: Trouble sleeping, walking, exercising, or keeping up with daily routines can be a sign that symptoms need evaluation.
- An illness is making symptoms worse: Cold or flu symptoms can complicate asthma and may require additional care.
Severe difficulty breathing, blue lips or face, confusion, or other signs of a medical emergency require immediate emergency care.
How can you manage asthma triggers during fall?
Managing known triggers can help reduce seasonal flare ups. Follow the asthma treatment plan provided by your healthcare provider and pay attention to patterns in your symptoms. Keeping indoor spaces dry and addressing visible mold can also help limit exposure.
If symptoms still become difficult to manage, getting evaluated can help determine what may be contributing to the flare up. AFC Urgent Care Edgewater offers care for allergies, asthma, breathing concerns, and other non life threatening conditions.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Edgewater for Asthma and Allergy Care
If your asthma or allergy symptoms are acting up this fall, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater can help. Our team treats a range of non-life-threatening asthma, allergy, and breathing concerns for patients in Edgewater and the surrounding Annapolis area. If your breathing symptoms are getting worse or aren’t improving with your usual treatment, call AFC Urgent Care Edgewater at (410) 956-3394 or save your spot online.