Rise in autumn sneezing syndrome as allergies become more common

“Autumn sneezing syndrome” is on the rise as allergies become more common, an expert has said.

The increasing number of cases is said to be caused by shifting pollen levels as well as an invasive plant called ragweed, a primary contributor to hay fever symptoms.

While previous studies suggested that only a small number of people were afflicted with hay fever in autumn, people are now suffering from it “well into the autumn”, according to Dr Adrian Morris, principal allergist at Surrey Allergy Clinic.

Dr Morris told the Mail on Sunday: “Usually you get hay fever starting with the tree pollen in March and April and then grass pollen from May to August, then that was the end of it for most people. But now we get people affected well into the autumn.”

Most of the autumn allergies people experience in the UK are down to mould spores and dust mites, according to Allergy UK.

“The damp weather increases the number of airborne mould spores, while fungal spores can be found both inside and outside the home,” the organisation said on its website.

Sensitivity to ragweed

Dr Morris attributed the rising number of cases in part to allergic reactions caused by ragweed, which sheds pollen well into October, later than most plants.

Common ragweed, or Ambrosia Artemisiifolia, has pollen which causes harsh reactions including hay fever, asthma and eczema.

Most people who are allergic to other types of pollen also have a sensitivity to ragweed.

Ragweed, a super-allergen plant, is predicted to quadruple in Europe by 2050, and researchers said climate change is responsible for two thirds of this increase.

Dr Morris said the rise in Autumnal hay fever cases was a “reasonably new phenomenon”, all of the reasons for which are not yet clear.

There is currently no cure for hay fever, but most people can relieve symptoms with treatment, according to the NHS.

“If your condition is mild, you can…help reduce the symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications, such as non-sedating antihistamines, and by regularly rinsing your nasal passages with a salt water solution to keep your nose free of irritants”, according to the NHS.