For many people living with asthma, the arrival of fall brings more than crisp air, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice. It can also mean a noticeable increase in their asthma symptoms. At the same time, the start of a new school year usually leads to greater exposure to viruses, making it even harder for you and your family to stay well.

With its network of trusted primary care providers and pediatricians who are highly skilled at managing chronic health conditions like asthma, the TopLine MD Alliance offers guidance and treatment strategies to help you enjoy the fall season with confidence.

Keep reading to learn why ragweed, pollen, and other seasonal factors make your asthma symptoms worse, what steps you can take at home and outdoors to reduce your fall asthma triggers, and why having an asthma action plan is so important.

Don’t let fall take your breath away. The TopLine MD Alliance is here to provide you with practical tips that can leave you in better control of your asthma symptoms this fall and all year long.

Why do asthma symptoms get worse in the fall?

Fall is a particularly tough season for people living with asthma. Asthma symptoms often worsen in the fall for a variety of reasons, from fall allergens like ragweed and mold to weather changes that create cooler air to back-to-school viruses. More time spent indoors can wreak havoc on your airways as well.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of fall asthma flare-ups:

Allergen exposure

In the fall, exposure to certain allergens can quickly trigger asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, increased coughing, and chest tightness or pain. Two primary fall allergens are ragweed and mold.

Ragweed plants begin blooming in late summer and continue through fall, with peak pollen counts often in September. Each plant only lives for one season, but that one plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains that fill the air. Mold spores tend to be found on damp, decaying leaves (leaf piles, anyone?) and other plant debris on the ground, but they can also become airborne.

Both ragweed and mold can trigger a reaction that inflames and swells your airways, making it harder to breathe. Your airways can also fill with thick mucus, further obstructing the airflow.

Weather changes

As temperatures begin to drop, cooler air can cause problems for anyone with asthma. Like the allergens listed above, breathing in cold, dry air can irritate and constrict your airways, triggering asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Weather-related asthma symptoms tend to be worse for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, play fall sports, or have exercise-induced asthma, especially when you add rainy or windy conditions. Rainy or windy fall weather can stir up mold spores and cause fluctuations in barometric pressure that trigger sinusitis, which may also cause asthma flare-ups.

Indoor asthma triggers

Cooler weather also means spending more time indoors, where you can be exposed to indoor asthma triggers like dust mites, pet dander, and chemical irritants.

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in places like bedding, carpet, and upholstery, while pet dander is microscopic flakes of dead skin shed by household pets with fur or feathers. Many household products, including cleaners, air fresheners, and cosmetics, can also release chemicals that trigger asthma symptoms.

Back-to-school viruses

The beginning of a new school year brings children into close contact with one another, leading to the rapid spread of respiratory viruses like the common cold, flu, RSV, and more.

These viruses are a major trigger for asthma flare-ups: in fact, the yearly spike in asthma-related hospitalizations for children as they return to school is so large that it’s called the “September Asthma Peak.” The third week of September, also referred to as “Asthma Peak Week,” has the highest concentration of asthma flare-ups and ER visits for the entire year.

What steps can you take to reduce fall asthma triggers?

Now that you know what causes fall asthma triggers, it’s time to learn how to avoid them. While you can’t control cooler temperatures or ragweed pollen in the air, there are many steps you can take to lessen their impact. Let’s start indoors first:

  • Improve indoor air quality – Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove toxins from the air in your home.
  • More air circulation – Circulate the air by opening windows and using exhaust fans on days when there isn’t a high pollen count.
  • Replace air filters – Regularly replace the air filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
  • Get air-purifying plants – Choose plants that have low pollen production and require minimal watering, such as snake plants, spider plants, and aloe vera.
  • Say no to smoke – Never smoke tobacco or vape indoors.
  • Reduce pet dander – Bathe and groom your pets often.
  • Use natural, fragrance-free products – Natural, fragrance-free cleaners and other products can help you avoid respiratory irritation caused by chemicals.
  • Clean regularly – Cleaning your home frequently helps remove asthma triggers. Pay special attention to your bedroom or wherever you sleep.
  • Vacuum all carpets and upholstery – Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites, pet dander, and other triggers.
  • Buy allergen-proof bedding – Allergen-proof sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers reduce your exposure to dust mites as you sleep.

Here are some tips for when you venture outdoors this fall:

  • Check the pollen forecast first – If you have to go outside, aim for early in the day. Pollen counts are highest in late afternoon and early evening in the fall.
  • Avoid leaf piles – As fun as it can be to jump into a pile of fall leaves, mold spores on the leaves can trigger your asthma symptoms. (Some good news – you should avoid raking leaves, too.)
  • Skip these other fall favorites – Hayrides and bonfires can also trigger asthma flare-ups.
  • Dress wisely – Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect your skin from outdoor allergens. If temperatures are cool enough, add a scarf over your nose and mouth to warm the air as you breathe.
  • Don’t bring the outdoors in – Remove your clothes when you come inside and wash them as soon as possible.
  • Take a shower – Taking a shower or bath after you spend time outside helps remove pollen and mold spores from your skin.
  • Always carry your inhaler or medication with you – Be prepared in case you have an asthma flare-up.

How do you know if your fall asthma symptoms are serious?

Are you having asthma flare-ups more often? Are your asthma symptoms getting worse? Do they make it difficult to sleep? You likely need a medical provider’s care.

Contact your TopLine MD Alliance Network provider right away if:

  • You have new asthma symptoms
  • You have persistent symptoms like wheezing or coughing that don’t improve
  • You use your inhaler more than a few times a week
  • Your asthma symptoms wake you up at night
  • Your asthma symptoms are interfering with your daily life

Be sure to seek emergency care if:

  • You’re extremely short of breath.
  • You cannot talk or walk due to breathing difficulties.
  • Your skin is bluish or grayish around your mouth, lips, or nails.
  • Your nostrils flare when you try to breathe in.
  • You are taking 30+ breaths per minute.
  • You feel faint, dizzy, or confused.
  • Your inhaler or emergency treatments are not working.

It’s essential to have an asthma action plan in place. This plan provides written instructions on how to manage your asthma, including the medications you take and what to do in an emergency.

You can share the plan with your family members, friends, co-workers, and anyone else who may be able to help you during an asthma flare-up. If your child has asthma, the plan should be shared with their teachers, school nurses, and other caregivers.

Your TopLine MD Alliance Network provider can create an asthma action plan for you. Plan to visit your provider at least once a year to review your asthma action plan and make any necessary updates, so you can breathe easier.

Find a TopLine MD Alliance Network provider today

The TopLine MD Alliance was created by physicians who came together to make healthcare experiences better for patients. We help patients navigate the healthcare system, connecting them with top-of-the-line healthcare providers, practices, diagnostic centers, and imaging centers we trust.

The TopLine MD Alliance brings together high-quality care and exceptional service while ensuring that you are always satisfied with your choice of medical providers. Our specialties include primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, allergy and immunology, pediatrics, and many more.

To get started, find a provider near you today.

The TopLine MD Alliance is an association of independent physicians and medical practice groups who are committed to providing a higher standard of healthcare services. The members of the TopLine MD Alliance have no legal or financial relationship with one another. The TopLine MD Alliance brand has no formal corporate, financial or legal ties to any of the physicians or practice groups in the network.