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  • There has been a noticeable increase in the severity and duration of seasonal allergies in recent years.

  • Organizations focused on health and the environment attribute this to climate change effects, such as prolonged plant growing seasons.

  • There are proactive measures you can take to lower your exposure to pollen and other allergens.

Seasonal allergies, including hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and reactions to pollen, have been hitting harder and sticking around longer each year. This is not just your imagination.

In certain regions of North America, allergy seasons have extended by as much as three weeks. This spring’s allergy season has already shown to be particularly harsh and prolonged.

Experts at public health and research institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have suggested that climate change may be a contributing factor to the intensification of allergy seasons.

With the rise in temperatures, plants that pollinate can start their growing seasons earlier and extend them longer, producing more pollen.

“The effects of climate change disrupt the usual patterns of pollen production. For example, new blooms in the spring might occur earlier or later than usual, which affects when and where pollen is released,” explained Frederic Bertley, PhD, president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), in a discussion with Healthline.

“We’re observing not only a general increase in allergy reactions among people but also an uptick in allergies across different age groups,” he added.

In the United States, more than a quarter of adults and approximately 20% of children suffer from seasonal allergies.

The economic impact is significant as well, with annual costs attributed to pollen-related health issues exceeding $3 billion.

Despite the challenges of a tough spring allergy season, there are strategies to decrease your contact with pollen and alleviate your symptoms. Here are tips to help you manage spring allergies effectively.

Minimize Allergen Exposure Indoors

To fend off allergy symptoms, it’s crucial to reduce indoor exposure to pollen. This involves keeping pollen out of your living spaces.

Block Pollen Entry

Keep your doors and windows shut during high pollen periods to stop pollen from getting inside.

“It can be frustrating because we enjoy the fresh air from an open window, but opening a window allows pollen and other allergens from outside to enter your home,” Bertley remarked.

Use HEPA Filters

Implement HEPA filters in your HVAC or air conditioning systems to filter out pollen and other potential allergens like mold from your indoor air.

Engage in Spring Cleaning

Maintaining cleanliness can significantly reduce allergens in your home. “Aim to keep your living space as dust-free as possible,” advised Bertley.

Regularly clean and dust your home since these particles can harbor pollen and other allergens.

If you have pets, consider giving them frequent baths, as they can also bring pollen indoors.

Frequent Hand Washing

This simple hygiene practice, especially vital after surviving cold and flu seasons, can significantly help during allergy season.

Pollen can cling to your hands and be transferred to your eyes, mouth, nose, and throat.

Reduce Outdoor Pollen Exposure

If you’re spending time outdoors or participating in outdoor activities during allergy season, you’re at a higher risk of encountering pollen. However, you can take steps to limit your exposure.

Monitor Pollen Counts

Keep an eye on local weather reports and pollen forecasts to plan your outdoor activities when pollen levels are lower.

The Weather Channel offers a 15-day allergy forecast that includes levels of tree, grass, and ragweed pollen.

Shower After Outdoor Activities

After spending time outdoors, it’s wise to shower immediately to wash off pollen from your body and hair.

Additionally, consider washing your clothes right away or keeping them separate from clean garments to prevent pollen spread.

Stay Indoors When Necessary

If you’re highly sensitive to seasonal pollen, it’s best to stay indoors, particularly when pollen counts are high.

“Despite our love for the outdoors, if you are highly allergic to environmental elements, it’s best to avoid them until the season changes,” Bertley advised.

Explore Medications for Allergy Relief

In addition to preventative measures, numerous treatment options are available to alleviate allergy symptoms, available through your doctor or local pharmacy.

Over-the-counter options include:

  • antihistamines

  • decongestants

  • nasal and oral corticosteroids

Your doctor can also prescribe stronger versions of these medications if needed.

If allergies severely impact your daily life, consult your healthcare provider for advice.

For intense allergy symptoms, allergen immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, might be considered.

This treatment involves gradually introducing the allergen to your body to build up immunity.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies

While pollen-related allergies can occur year-round, they are most prevalent during the times of the year when certain plants are in their pollination phase, leading to elevated pollen levels in the air.

“Allergies represent an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substances in the environment, such as protein particles from tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in summer, and weed pollen in winter,” Tania Elliott, MD, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, explained to Healthline.

Individual reactions to allergens vary, so you may be allergic to one type of pollen but not another.

The term “hay fever,” or allergic rhinitis, refers to an allergic response to pollens from trees, grasses, and other plants, resulting in symptoms similar to those of a cold.

Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

  • sneezing

  • runny or stuffy nose

  • watery and itchy eyes

  • itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals

  • ear congestion

  • postnasal drip