Do your eyes feel red, watery, and itchy already? You’re not alone. With warm weather arriving early, health experts forecast substantial pollen waves. Here are some tips to help manage allergy symptoms.
Main Points:
- Plant activity in the United States during spring is occurring earlier than usual by up to three weeks, resulting in higher pollen levels.
- A prolonged and more severe spring allergy season is anticipated by experts.
- Strategies to alleviate allergy symptoms include keeping windows closed, removing shoes upon entering indoors, and potentially using medication.
It appears there’s no break in sight: Just as the prevalence of respiratory viruses such as flu and RSV is diminishing, allergy season is making its entrance. While the official start of spring is March 19, noses are already running as pollen inundates the air in various regions of the country.
“We are anticipating a rough allergy season this year, and people are already coming in with symptoms,” Tania Elliott, MD, said. She is an allergist in New York City and a clinical instructor at NYU Langone Health.
In the initial months of 2024, signs of springtime botanical activity have manifested notably earlier than anticipated, with certain regions experiencing advancement by as much as three weeks. According to observations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as of March 1, states such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and North Carolina have seen this accelerated onset.
Comparing current trends to the historical norm spanning from 1991 to 2020 reveals a significant shift in pollen dispersal patterns. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, pollen is emerging approximately a week earlier than the established average, while in St. Louis, Missouri, this advancement extends to two weeks. Remarkably, in certain parts of Washington, D.C., the onset of pollen dispersal is exceeding historical records by over three weeks.
Unprecedented early springs are also being documented in various regions, including the Sacramento Valley and coastal areas of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. This departure from historical norms underscores the magnitude of the ecological shifts occurring.
Supporting these observations, a study published in 2021 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienceshighlighted a concerning trend regarding allergy seasons across North America. Researchers found that since 1990, allergy seasons have commenced approximately 20 days earlier, persisting for an extended duration of 10 days, and yielding a remarkable 21 percent increase in pollen production on average.
The HHS underscores the potential ramifications of these alterations, noting that such shifts could be attributed to climate change. These changes have profound implications for public health, particularly concerning the heightened risk of allergy and asthma symptoms among vulnerable populations. Thus, understanding and mitigating the impacts of these ecological shifts remain critical imperatives for health and environmental management.
Pollen From Trees and then Grasses and Weeds
Despite experiencing a colder start to the year than usual, Florida is witnessing a heightened intensity in its plant-blooming activity.
“As a result, a big influx of people are coming in with allergy problems,” Stephen Kimura, MD, an allergist in Pensacola, Florida, said. “The pollen seems to be worse here than usual — everybody’s car is covered with yellow dust.”
The golden haze we see coating surfaces is actually pollen, originating primarily from coniferous trees like pines. Its appearance heralds the onset of tree pollen season across the nation.
While this particular yellow pollen is usually not a major allergen due to its weight, causing it to settle rather than remain airborne, its emergence coincides with the blooming of other trees that pose a greater risk for allergy sufferers. According to insights from the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, these include hardwoods such as oak, elm, and maple. Unlike the heavier coniferous pollen, the spores from these trees are smaller and more prone to being inhaled deeply into the lungs, potentially triggering allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Thus, while the conspicuous presence of yellow pollen might seem innocuous, it’s a timely reminder of the broader spectrum of allergens that accompany the spring season.
In addition to seeing an increase in allergies, tree-pollen season itself seems to be staying on longer than what we’re used to, according to Dr. Kimura, a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. “In the past, it would be really intense for two weeks and then start to wane,” he said. “Now the pollen season can last four to six weeks.”
Allergy issues persist beyond this point. Grass pollen season will soon commence nationwide, extending into early summer. Following this, weeds like ragweed begin pollination, prolonging allergy symptoms until November, as highlighted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Managing Allergy Symptoms
In 2021, the AAFA estimated that approximately 81 million individuals across the United States were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. This condition is characterized by an allergic response to pollen emanating from various sources such as trees, grasses, and weeds.
For individuals afflicted with allergic rhinitis, typical symptoms encompass sneezing, a runny or congested nose, as well as red, watery, or itchy eyes. Furthermore, there is often an exacerbation of pre-existing asthma and other chronic respiratory ailments. While these symptoms generally do not necessitate hospitalization, they can significantly impair quality of life, disrupting sleep patterns and hindering productivity, whether at school or in the workplace.
When encountering such reactions, it is advisable to seek testing to ascertain whether the symptoms stem specifically from allergies rather than being attributable to an alternate cause such as a sinus infection. Comprehensive testing not only confirms the allergy diagnosis but also identifies the specific allergens triggering the symptoms, thereby facilitating tailored treatment approaches. Kimura emphasizes the importance of this diagnostic step in effectively managing allergic rhinitis and mitigating its impact on daily life.
Dr. Elliott, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, provides the following recommendations to assist in managing these allergic reactions:
- Ensure windows are shut and utilize air conditioning (cleaning vents beforehand is essential).
- Establish a habit of leaving shoes at the door to prevent the tracking of pollen indoors.
- Incorporate evening showers to wash off pollen and prevent its transfer to bedding.
- Explore the option of allergy medications such as daily antihistamines or nasal sprays (note that most nasal steroid sprays require five to seven days to become effective).
- Consider allergen immunotherapy (including allergy shots or drops) as a method to desensitize your immune system to specific allergens.
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