How To Get Relief From Fall Allergies

As the temperatures drop and leaves change color, many Nebraskans look forward to crisp fall mornings and harvest season. Unfortunately, autumn also brings an uptick in sneezing, congestion, coughing, and itchy eyes for allergy sufferers. If you find yourself reaching for tissues every October, you’re not alone. Learn why allergies are just as common in the fall as in spring and summer and how you can find fast relief. 

What Causes Fall Allergies?

The biggest culprits behind fall allergies in Nebraska are ragweed pollen and mold spores. Ragweed is especially widespread across the Great Plains, and just one plant can release up to a billion pollen grains in a single season. These lightweight particles can travel hundreds of miles on the wind, meaning you don’t have to live next to a field to feel the effects.

In addition to ragweed, harvest season can worsen allergy symptoms. Dust, grain particles, and mold from crops become airborne when fields are tilled or harvested. Combined with Nebraska’s windy autumn weather, these irritants easily spread through the air and into your sinuses.

Common Fall Allergy Symptoms

Fall allergies often mimic cold symptoms, which can make them easy to overlook. Common signs include:

• Sneezing and runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Scratchy throat or coughing

• Fatigue or brain fog

  
  

If symptoms last longer than 10 days or seem to come back every year around the same time, it’s likely allergies, not a cold.

Best Treatments for Fall Allergies

Managing fall allergies starts with a two-part approach: minimizing exposure and relieving symptoms. The right treatment depends on how severe your allergies are and how often they flare up. Here are the most effective options:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Antihistamines

Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, which is the chemical your body releases in response to allergens. This helps reduce sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat.

Common OTC options include:

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

• Loratadine (Claritin)

• Fexofenadine (Allegra)

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

  
  

If you only have mild symptoms, a daily non-drowsy antihistamine can make a big difference. For nighttime relief, older antihistamines like Benadryl can help you sleep, though they may cause drowsiness the next day.

Nasal Sprays

Nasal corticosteroid sprays are among the most effective treatments for nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and postnasal drip. They work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages and blocking allergic reactions before they start.

Popular choices include:

• Fluticasone (Flonase)

• Triamcinolone (Nasacort)

• Mometasone (Nasonex)

  
  

For best results, use them consistently during allergy season rather than only when symptoms flare up. Some patients also benefit from saline sprays or nasal rinses to flush out allergens and reduce irritation.

Avoiding Exposure

While you can’t escape Nebraska’s ragweed pollen completely, you can take steps to limit your exposure:

• Keep windows closed on windy days or during harvest season.

• Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors to wash off pollen.

• Run your air conditioner instead of opening windows, and use a HEPA air filter indoors.

• Check pollen counts daily and plan outdoor activities when levels are lower (usually after rain).

  
  

Small lifestyle adjustments can reduce your overall allergen load and make medications more effective.

Prescription Medications/Injections

If over-the-counter options don’t provide enough relief, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Prescription-strength antihistamines or nasal sprays for persistent symptoms.

• Leukotriene inhibitors (such as montelukast) to help control inflammation and congestion.

• Combination treatments (antihistamine plus decongestant) when multiple symptoms occur at once.

  
  

Steroid Shots 

A steroid shot, also called a corticosteroid injection, is another option for severe allergies that aren’t responding to OTC or prescription medications. They work by suppressing the overactive immune response to allergens and reducing production of inflammatory chemicals (like histamines and prostaglandins). This helps calm swelling and irritation in nasal passages, sinuses, and airways.

Steroid shots work quickly to relieve symptoms (usually 1-2 days) and the effects can last weeks or even months, depending on the type of steroid and the dose. At Midwest Minor Medical, we offer steroid shots to our patients before and during allergy season so they can avoid constantly relying on oral antihistamines and regain their quality of life.  

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

Allergy shots, also called “immunotherapy,” are geared toward reducing the allergic response over time as opposed to the rapid symptom relief offered by corticosteroid injections. They work by gradually exposing your immune system to small doses of the allergen, thereby training your body to stop overreacting. Eventually, you’ll become less sensitive to allergens like ragweed, mold, and dust.

Allergy shots are usually given in a series, starting with weekly injections that gradually build your tolerance, followed by maintenance shots every few weeks. Many patients experience noticeable relief within 3-6 months, and long-term benefits can last for years after completing a full treatment plan.

Although we do not offer immunotherapy at our urgent care in West Omaha, Midwest Minor Medical is happy to assist patients in administering their prescribed serum if they are unable to or do not wish to do it themselves. You can walk in any time for this–no appointment necessary. 

Fast Allergy Relief In Omaha

If over-the-counter medications aren’t cutting it, don’t suffer through your fall allergies! Our providers can evaluate your symptoms and provide rapid relief with a steroid shot and/or prescription medications to get you comfortable again. Just walk into our urgent care in West Omaha or give us a call to start feeling better.