Autumn Sneezing Syndrome is on the rise as experts encounter growing numbers of patients of hay fever – here’s what YOU can do about it

By Liam On Nov 11, 2023

Sneezing fits and runny noses are a common hazard in the colder months. Many of us worry that we are in the early stages of a cold, flu or even Covid.

But in more and more cases it turns out to actually be allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever.

Dr. Ellie Cannon, The Mail on Sunday’s GP, wrote in her column a few weeks ago about a colleague who suffered from sneezing fits but none of the other unpleasant symptoms – headache, sore throat, muscle aches – of a normal cold. And in response, she received a flood of stories from readers with similar problems – seemingly related to the changing seasons.

Now medical experts have confirmed they are dealing with a growing number of autumn cases of allergic rhinitis – where the sensitive lining of the nose swells in response to an allergen such as mold or pollen (also known as hay fever).

MoS readers’ stories ranged from sneezing fits that caused muscle pain to seizures so severe they feared they would run off the road. Some symptoms can even be disabling.

Sneezing fits and runny noses are a common hazard in the colder months. Many of us worry that we are in the early stages of a cold, flu or even Covid

But in more and more cases it turns out to actually be allergic rhinitis – better known as hay fever.

Margaret Kennedy, from Fife, says her attacks are so severe they leave her in pain. “Sometimes I’ve had to sneeze ten times in a row,” she adds. ‘I have a box of tissues in every room of the house, while my nose drips profusely.’

Another reader says her sneezes have become “much more violent and frequent” in recent weeks, while another says it’s even making her depressed.

Some reported that they usually suffer from hay fever in the warmer months, but now need to continue taking treatments such as antihistamines.

For many, this is the first time they have been affected in the colder months, leaving them bewildered. “I’ve been sneezing for the past few weeks for no apparent reason,” wrote one.

It has been proven that the number of molds and fungal spores in the air increases in autumn, which can lead to hay fever allergies in some people. These fungi are often found in dead plant material in gardens and woodlands, says the charity Allergy UK. Piles of rotting leaves, grass clippings, compost heaps and garden sheds are excellent environments for their growth, and levels are significantly higher in September and October.

YOUR AMAZING BODY

Each nostril has its own specific sense of smell.

American scientists monitored the brain activity of ten people when they were exposed to certain scents – such as banana, coffee and eucalyptus – delivered through tubes into each nostril.

They found that odors in the right nostril led to an increase in activity in the right side of the brain. Odors in the left nostril increased brain activity on the left side.

The study, published in the journal Current Biology, concluded that although each nostril can identify a distinct odor as the same, there are subtle differences in how these are perceived by the brain.

Many MoS readers claimed that their sneezing got worse after walking outside or tackling fallen leaves that were piling up in the garden. Mold can also thrive indoors if windows are kept closed and by drying clothes. Researchers from the National Aspergillosis Center in Manchester – experts in conditions caused by mold – have shown that airing clothes on warm radiators increases moisture levels in homes by up to 30 per cent, creating ‘ideal breeding conditions for mold spores’.

One of them, called aspergillus fumigatus, can even lead to potentially fatal lung infections. ‘Dry your wet laundry outdoors, in a tumble dryer or in a well-ventilated indoor area, away from bedrooms and living areas,’ advises one of the centre’s leading scientists. “Better be safe than sorry.”

Dr. Adrian Morris, lead allergist at the Surrey Allergy Clinic, says it is a ‘fairly new phenomenon’ to see cases of allergic rhinitis at this time of year. He adds: ‘You usually get hay fever, starting with the tree pollen in March and April and then grass pollen from May to August, after which it was over for most people. But now we are seeing people affected well into the autumn, although it is not clear why.’

He also cares for an increasing number of patients whose allergic reactions are caused by the invasive ragweed, which sheds its pollen later in the year than most plants. The plant is native to the US and has spread across Europe and is present in Britain, although it remains relatively rare.

Another common cause of an allergic reaction is dust, which builds up in the fall and winter when people stay indoors to avoid the unpleasant weather, says ear, nose and throat surgeon Thomas Jacques, of the London Nose and Sinus Clinic and St George’s University Hospital. NHS Foundation Trust. Allergic rhinitis can also worsen asthma symptoms and is a risk factor for developing the condition, warns Allergy UK. Patients who are concerned that their asthma symptoms may be worsening are advised to seek medical advice.

Fortunately, there are remedies for most cases of Autumn Sneezing Syndrome. Mr Jacques recommends a daily antihistamine, which you can buy in supermarkets and pharmacies. He also encourages nasal steroid sprays, which can reduce swelling, stuffiness and runny noses. They can be taken alongside antihistamines.

“These are underused, but are very valuable and safe,” he says. ‘They build up slowly so you have to give them a chance to work as it can take a few weeks. You don’t get an immediate response like you do with antihistamines.’

Dr. Morris suggests that people who garden or walk in areas where they are surrounded by many mold spores should shower after being outdoors. Changing clothes can also help limit exposure.

Mr Jacques added: ‘There are many people who are suffering unnecessarily because they don’t know there are things available in the shops that can help.’