Allergy seasons have been getting worse; here’s how to protect yourself

Body

Allergy season can be miserable for tens of millions of Americans when trees, grass and other pollens cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing, according to Associated Press reporting by Kenya Hunter. Where people live, what they are allergic to and their day-to-day routines can change how severe symptoms feel. Experts also say climate change is contributing to longer and more intense allergy seasons, even as treatments for seasonal allergies have become more effective over the last decade.

The “allergy capitals” rankings from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America put several U.S. cities near the top of the list of places that can be hardest to live with allergies. This year, the foundation named Boise, Idaho; San Diego; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Provo, Utah; and Rochester, New York among the top five cities.

Allergies typically track to the life cycle of the plants releasing pollen. Earlier in spring, tree pollen is the main culprit; after that, grasses pollinate, and weeds pollinate in late summer and early fall. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America lists several tree pollens that commonly cause symptoms, including birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, along with grasses such as Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass.

Monitoring pollen levels can help people decide when to go outside. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks pollen through a network of counting stations across the U.S., with counts available on its website and also via email.

Doctors and allergy specialists often start with avoiding exposure as the first step. Dr. James Baker, an allergist at the University of Michigan, advised that people keep “the windows in your car and your home closed,” even when the weather is good, to reduce pollen coming indoors. If someone does go outside, Baker suggested wearing long sleeves to keep pollen off the skin and to help ward off allergic reactions, while also noting it can provide some sun protection. When people return home, specialists recommend changing clothes and showering daily to remove pollen, including from hair; if daily hair washing isn’t possible, they said covering hair with a hat or scarf can help, and they added that sleeping in outside clothes can leave pollen behind.

Rinsing eyes and the nose can also be part of symptom control, since saline can help remove pollen. Experts also point to masks as another protective measure, though they note masks do not help with eye symptoms. When it comes to treating symptoms, over-the-counter nasal sprays are described as among the most effective options for seasonal allergies, but specialists cautioned that people often use them incorrectly. Dr. Kathleen May, an allergist at Augusta University in Georgia, said patients should angle the nozzle outward toward the ear rather than sticking it straight up the nose.

Over-the-counter allergy pills such as Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec can also help, experts said, though they may not work as quickly because they are taken by mouth. If allergies are affecting quality of life—such as causing people to lose sleep or lose focus at work or school—specialists said it may be time to see an allergist. They said medications exist that can “train” the immune system not to overreact to allergens, pointing to approaches such as immunotherapy.

The article also warned that some widely circulated remedies—often promoted on social media or by celebrities—do not match evidence. One example is incorporating local honey into a diet to expose the body to pollen, which specialists said has been debunked. Dr. Shyam Joshi, an allergist at Oregon Health and Science University, said it is because the flowers bees pollinate typically do not contain the airborne pollen that triggers allergy symptoms.

Finally, experts say the pattern of allergy seasons may keep shifting. With milder winters and longer growing seasons as the climate changes, there is more opportunity for pollen to remain in the air, which can produce longer and more severe allergy seasons. The reporting also noted that last year was described as one of the most intense allergy seasons on record, particularly in the Southeast.