Fall in North Texas means football games, outdoor practices, back-to-school routines and—despite what the calendar might suggest—plenty of allergens in the air.

If you have asthma and notice that your coughing, wheezing or chest tightness seems to increase as summer turns to fall, you may be wondering:

Can fall allergies trigger asthma?

The answer is yes. For some people with allergic asthma, exposure to allergens such as pollen and mold can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.

September can be an especially important month for people with asthma. Ragweed pollen commonly peaks around mid-September across much of the United States, and September is also recognized as a particularly challenging time for asthma because several potential triggers can converge at once.

For patients in Dallas, Plano and throughout North Texas, understanding the relationship between fall allergies and asthma can be an important part of keeping symptoms well managed.

At AIR Care, MD, our allergy, immunology and respiratory specialists help patients identify potential asthma triggers, evaluate respiratory symptoms and develop individualized treatment plans designed around their needs.

What Is Allergic Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the airways. People with asthma may experience symptoms including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

There are different types and triggers of asthma.

Allergic asthma occurs when exposure to an allergen triggers asthma symptoms.

Potential allergens can include:

• Pollen from weeds, grasses and trees
• Mold
• Dust mites
• Pet dander

Not everyone with allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergic asthma. But for people who have both, an allergen that causes nasal or eye symptoms may also contribute to respiratory symptoms.

That’s why someone who starts the day sneezing because of pollen exposure may notice more than just an itchy nose or watery eyes.

Their breathing may change, too.

Why Can Fall Allergies Make Asthma Worse?

When a person with an allergy encounters an allergen, the immune system responds.

For someone with allergic asthma, exposure to an allergen can contribute to inflammation in the airways and trigger asthma symptoms.

That means the arrival of fall allergens may result in more than the symptoms traditionally associated with seasonal allergies.

Instead of—or in addition to—sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes, someone may notice:

• Increased coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty exercising
• Nighttime coughing
• Increased respiratory symptoms following outdoor exposure

“One of the important things for patients to understand is that allergies and asthma don’t always exist separately. For someone with allergic asthma, the same environmental trigger causing nasal allergy symptoms may also affect the lower airways. Identifying those triggers gives us valuable information when developing an individualized treatment plan.”

— Maryam Saifi, MD, AIR Care, MD

Understanding that connection can help patients recognize patterns they may otherwise overlook.

Ragweed: A Major Fall Allergy Trigger

When people think about pollen, they often think about spring.

But pollen doesn’t disappear when summer ends.

Ragweed is one of the most important fall allergens.

Ragweed season generally begins in late summer, with pollen commonly peaking around mid-September across much of the United States.

Ragweed pollen is also remarkably mobile. Because the pollen is lightweight, it can travel through the air over considerable distances. That means you don’t necessarily need to see ragweed growing in your backyard to be exposed to its pollen.

For someone who is allergic to ragweed and also has allergic asthma, exposure can potentially trigger both allergy and asthma symptoms.

If your breathing consistently becomes more difficult during late summer or fall, that seasonal pattern is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Mold Can Be a Fall Asthma Trigger, Too

Pollen isn’t the only potential problem.

Mold can also trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Outdoor mold can grow around decaying vegetation and damp organic material. In parts of the South, lingering warmth and humidity may also create conditions favorable for mold.

Indoor mold can be a concern as well.

For someone sensitive to mold, exposure may contribute to allergy symptoms and can trigger asthma symptoms.

This is another reason determining your individual triggers matters.

The problem may not simply be “fall.”

It could be a particular allergen—or combination of triggers—that becomes more prominent during certain environmental conditions.

Why September Can Be a Difficult Month for Asthma

September deserves particular attention for people with asthma.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has identified September as a peak period for asthma episodes because several triggers may occur at the same time.

Consider everything that changes around September:

Ragweed pollen is high.

Fall weed pollen can trigger symptoms in susceptible patients.

Mold may be present.

Environmental conditions and decaying plant material can contribute to mold exposure.

Children return to school.

Respiratory illnesses begin circulating through classrooms and households.

Sports and outdoor activities increase.

Football, soccer, cross-country, marching band and other activities may mean more time outdoors and more physical exertion.

Weather begins changing.

Temperature shifts and weather conditions can also affect asthma symptoms for some people.

None of these factors means that everyone with asthma will experience a flare in September.

But if you already have asthma, this is a particularly good time to pay attention to changes in your symptoms.

What Asthma Symptoms Should You Watch for This Fall?

Asthma doesn’t always look like a dramatic inability to breathe.

Sometimes the warning signs are more subtle.

Pay attention to symptoms such as:

Coughing During or After Exercise

If running, playing soccer, marching, exercising or simply being active consistently leads to coughing, don’t automatically assume you’re just out of shape.

Exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

Wheezing

A whistling or wheezing sound while breathing can be associated with narrowed airways and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Chest Tightness

Some people describe asthma symptoms as pressure, squeezing or tightness in the chest.

Shortness of Breath

Difficulty catching your breath or feeling unusually winded may warrant evaluation—particularly when it repeatedly occurs during activities that normally wouldn’t cause a problem.

Nighttime Coughing

Asthma symptoms can occur at night. Repeatedly waking because you’re coughing or struggling with respiratory symptoms is something your provider should know about.

Reaching for a Rescue Inhaler More Often

If you already have an asthma treatment plan and notice that you’re needing your quick-relief medication more frequently than usual, contact your healthcare provider. A change in medication use may signal that asthma control needs to be reassessed.

Sitting Out Activities You Normally Enjoy

This one can be easy to overlook.

Are you skipping the family walk?

Sitting out during sports?

Avoiding outdoor events?

Leaving activities early because you’re worried about your breathing?

Asthma management isn’t only about preventing emergencies.

It’s also about helping patients participate in everyday life as safely and fully as possible.

Can Fall Allergies Cause Coughing?

Yes, allergies can be associated with coughing, but coughing has many potential causes.

Postnasal drainage from allergic rhinitis may irritate the throat and contribute to coughing. Asthma can also cause cough—and in some people, coughing may be a prominent asthma symptom.

This becomes particularly important if a cough occurs along with:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Exercise
• Nighttime symptoms
• Known allergen exposure
• Recurring seasonal patterns

Rather than assuming that every fall cough is “just allergies,” consider discussing persistent or recurring symptoms with your healthcare provider.

How Do I Know If Allergies Are Triggering My Asthma?

Patterns can provide important clues, but diagnosing allergic asthma requires an appropriate medical evaluation.

Ask yourself:

Do my asthma symptoms become worse during certain seasons?

Do I experience coughing or wheezing when pollen levels are high?

Do my nasal allergies and breathing problems flare at the same time?

Do symptoms become worse around pets, dust, mold or outdoor allergens?

Do I consistently struggle with asthma during late summer and fall?

Share those patterns with your healthcare provider.

An allergist may recommend allergy testing to help determine whether you’re sensitized to specific environmental allergens.

Can Allergy Testing Help With Asthma?

For patients with suspected allergic asthma, allergy testing may help identify environmental allergens that could be contributing to symptoms.

Testing isn’t simply about producing a list of allergens.

Understanding your individual triggers can help your specialist create a more personalized strategy for managing both your allergies and asthma.

Depending on your medical history, symptoms and test results, your treatment plan may include approaches for reducing allergen exposure, allergy treatment and appropriate asthma medications.

Your provider can determine which options are appropriate for you.

Don’t Let Asthma Decide What You Get to Do This Fall

A busy fall calendar shouldn’t automatically mean sitting on the sidelines because you’re worried about your breathing.

If asthma symptoms are interfering with exercise, sleep, school, work or activities you enjoy, it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider.

At AIR Care, MD, our allergy, immunology and respiratory specialists work with patients to understand the relationship between allergies, environmental triggers and respiratory symptoms.

Because the goal isn’t simply to respond when asthma symptoms become severe.

The goal is to understand what’s triggering them and develop a treatment strategy appropriate for the individual patient.

Your asthma plan should keep up with your life—not keep you from living it.

Asthma and Allergy Care in Dallas and Plano

If your asthma seems worse during allergy season—or you’ve never determined exactly what triggers your symptoms—AIR Care, MD can help you look for answers.

Our specialists provide individualized allergy, asthma, immunology and respiratory care at convenient locations in Dallas and Plano, Texas.

AIR Care, MD is currently accepting new patients.

Dallas: 214-373-1773
Plano: 972-473-7544

Call AIR Care, MD today to schedule an appointment and take the next step toward breathing—and living—better.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Allergies and Asthma

1. Can fall allergies trigger an asthma attack?

For some people with allergic asthma, exposure to allergens such as weed pollen or mold can trigger asthma symptoms and may contribute to an asthma exacerbation. Patients should follow their individualized asthma treatment or action plan and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms are worsening.

2. Can ragweed make asthma worse?

Yes. If a person has allergic asthma and is allergic to ragweed, exposure to ragweed pollen can trigger asthma symptoms. Ragweed is an important fall allergen and commonly peaks around mid-September across much of the United States.

3. Why does my asthma get worse in September?

Several potential asthma triggers can converge in September. These may include ragweed pollen, mold, respiratory infections associated with returning to school, increased outdoor activities and changing weather conditions. Your individual triggers may be different, so recurring September symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

4. How can I tell if my asthma is triggered by allergies?

Seasonal patterns can provide clues. If coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath consistently occur alongside allergy symptoms or after exposure to pollen, mold, pets or other allergens, talk with an allergist. Allergy testing may help identify specific environmental sensitivities.

5. Should I see an allergist if my asthma gets worse during fall?

If asthma symptoms consistently worsen during allergy season, interfere with sleep or activities, or require more frequent use of quick-relief medication, contact your healthcare provider. An allergist can evaluate potential allergic triggers and help develop an individualized treatment plan.