• 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.

Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers' Dr. Jamie Oberman wants allergy sufferers to know they now have options when it comes to relieving their suffering.

"You're doing skin prick testing on the back or the forearm, and you're placing the allergen and seeing if they develop a flare,” Oberman told Maryland Business Daily. “So that's called in vivo testing, and that is still performed, but equally as sensitive and specific is what's called in vitro testing or RAST. In vitro testing, which is a blood test, we're testing for a specific allergy type antibody. This is a specific antibody to an allergen that somebody is allergic to, and it would be elevated on a blood test."

With fall allergies typically kicking into high gear in August, Oberman adds it’s the job of the physician to come up with a plan that best fits the patient. In arriving at their diagnosis, doctors often take into account the patient’s symptoms and medical history before recommending either a blood test or a skin test as the next step in the process. For a skin test, the doctor places a small amount of the allergen on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic to that particular allergen, a small, itchy bump will appear.

“Some (patients) still do better with allergy shots, but there's also the sublingual route that we can always consider if they do have a needle phobia or can't make it to a monthly doctor's appointment," Oberman said.

According to WebMD, even people residing in areas where ragweed doesn’t grow can still be affected at peak allergy season, as the wind can carry ragweed pollen for hundreds of miles. Another common trigger is mold, which can grow in piles of damp leaves.

Seasonal allergy sufferers can also fall victim to things like dust mites, which can spread from something as simple as people turning on the heat in their homes for the fall season. Dust mites are also often present in schools, potentially leaving many students vulnerable as they return to the classroom. Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes and noses.

Based on the type and severity of one’s allergies, doctors may recommend treatment options that can range from over-the-counter medication, nasal sprays, allergy shots, immunotherapy or, in very severe cases, carrying an emergency epinephrine shot, such as an EpiPen.

If you have allergies and are considering seeking treatment, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.