Grand Canyon Times

• Fall allergies typically begin in August and can last through October.

• To diagnose allergies, doctors may recommend either a blood test or a skin test.

• Some treatment options include over-the-counter medications, nasal sprays and immunotherapy.

"Allergies can be a constant struggle, especially out here in the Arizona desert and mountains,” Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Grand Canyon Times. “We offer two types of testing here: blood tests known as RAST and a skin-scratch test. With the scratch test, you get instant results, and a treatment plan can be coordinated immediately based on your individual test results." 

According to WebMD, many people with seasonal allergies start to feel the triggers of their symptoms in August, and those symptoms can last through September and October. Since the wind can carry ragweed for hundreds of miles, you don’t have to live near an area where ragweed grows in order to be affected. Another common trigger is mold, which grows in damp leaves, as well as dust mites, which can stir as people begin to turn on the heat in their homes or schools. 

Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes and nose.

Doctors often review a patient's symptoms and medical history, and they could recommend a blood test or a skin test, according to the Mayo Clinic. With a skin test, the doctor will place a small amount of the allergen or multiple allergens on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic, small red bumps would appear.

Depending on the type and severity of the allergy, a doctor could recommend a variety of treatments, including over-the-counter medications, nasal sprays, immunotherapy drops, allergy shots or the use of an EpiPen.

"Allergy drops are one form of treatment for allergies,” Stewart said. “Easy to use and all done from the comfort of your home. Avoid the constant trip to your doctor's office. Safe to take with you on vacations." 

Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers offers a Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz to help you find more information about seasonal allergies and sinusitis, as well treatment options.