Why Is My Allergy Worse in Delhi in October and November?

What changes in the air this time of year

Three things happen together. First, crop-residue burning, Diwali fireworks and vehicle smoke push particulate pollution up. Second, temperatures drop and wind slows, so polluted air stays low over the city instead of dispersing. Third, families spend more time indoors with windows shut — which means more contact with house dust mites, the commonest allergy trigger we see in Delhi.

Pollution is not an allergen in the strict sense, but it inflames the lining of the nose. An inflamed nose reacts more strongly to dust, pollen and pet dander. That is why many patients say ‘my allergy was under control until October’.

Common signs that it is allergy, not just a cold

• Sneezing in bouts, especially in the morning
• Clear, watery runny nose
• Itchy nose, eyes or throat
• Blocked nose that keeps returning for weeks
• No fever, and symptoms that follow you indoors and outdoors

What actually helps

• Check the AQI and limit outdoor exercise on ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ days
• Wear a well-fitting N95 mask outdoors — cloth masks do little for fine particles
• Keep bedroom windows closed at night when pollution peaks; a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom can help
• Wash bedsheets and pillow covers weekly in hot water to cut dust mites
• Saline nasal rinses after coming home wash particles off the nasal lining
• Don’t self-medicate with decongestant sprays for more than a few days

If you need tablets every day through the season, that is a sign your allergy needs a proper plan rather than more of the same. Prescription nasal sprays, used correctly, control symptoms far better than antihistamines alone for most adults.

When to see an ENT

• Symptoms most days for more than 2–3 weeks
• Blocked nose disturbing sleep, or new snoring
• Wheezing, chest tightness or cough at night
• Facial pain, thick yellow-green discharge or fever
• Your child is mouth-breathing or snoring through the season

Identifying your exact triggers with a skin prick test helps you target what matters — and for many people, long-term allergy immunotherapy reduces how reactive the nose is year after year.

Helpful pages on this site

• Allergic rhinitis treatment in Delhi
• Skin prick test (allergy testing)
• Free allergy symptom checker
• More simple answers to common ENT questions

Written by Dr Pranshu Mehta, DLO (ENT) — ENT surgeon and Allergy, Rhinitis & Pediatric Airway Specialist, Janakpuri, New Delhi. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation.