Dr. Yetunde Badmus, a pediatrician with UToledo Health in Toledo, Ohio, says northwest Ohio’s fall allergy season could still get worse. She warns that hot, humid and rainy weather has created ideal conditions for ragweed, mold and pollen, and symptoms may grow through autumn.
Badmus told 13abc she is already seeing more patients with classic fall complaints. The runny noses, itchy eyes and fluid in the ears are coming in daily, she said.
“The most common culprits of allergy symptoms are ragweed, we see mold, we see pollen, and then quite literally just the cutting of grass occurring with the fall,” Badmus said.
She said kids often carry the worst of it. Red eyes and ear fluid backups are common in her exam rooms. Headaches can follow, she added.
Spring gave the region a warning shot. Badmus said this year’s spring season ranked among the worst she has treated.
“We’re still at the start of it, so stay tuned because we’re not sure yet if it’s going to get worse,” she said.
Treatment starts simple. Oral antihistamines and special eye drops handle most cases, she said. Doctors refer patients to an allergist only when those medicines fail.
“You treat first, and if the allergy symptoms are not abating with the medications that you are prescribing, then you can always refer to an allergist for further testing,” Badmus said.
She pushes education over testing. Parents should call the office with questions, she said. Most allergy work is teaching families, she added.
Ragweed drives the fall. Tree pollen takes the spring. Grass pollen owns the summer, according to Badmus.
Simple steps cut the misery. Check local pollen counts. Keep windows closed on high-count days. Stay inside when readings peak.
Air purifiers and special home filters help. Over-the-counter allergy medicines ease mild cases, according to experts.
When to see a doctor
Badmus said patients should call their doctor if home steps do not work. She said allergies shift as people age, so symptoms can change without warning. Testing has limits, she warned, since lab results do not always match real-world reactions.
For the most part, allergies change as you get older, so doctors treat first and test second, she said.
UToledo Health is the University of Toledo’s clinical practice, serving patients across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
