Are you sniffling and sneezing from outdoor allergens more than ever? According to Climate.gov, allergy season is getting longer. The northeast US has added between 10 and 14 days that register above freezing in the last few decades. That may not sound like much, but fewer days below 32 degrees makes conditions ripe for pollen growth. A Rutgers University study showed that airborne pollen has increased more than 40% since the 1990s. With more warm days comes added pollen, which means those extra fun times may be filled with breathing in and sneezing out pollen.
Allergies to pollen, called allergic rhinitis, or hay fever include: runny nose, congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, itchy nose, and even loss of smell.
Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction in the eyes, causing red, itchy, burning, watery, puffy eyes.
In addition to temperature shifts, pollen-producing plants react to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. Climate change, due to many factors, keeps moving the needle higher, as we break annual CO2 record levels in the atmosphere. Plants are having a photosynthesis party and everyone’s invited. This leads to increases in flower growth, pollen, and allergic reactions.
However, it doesn’t stop there. A summer thunderstorm can also significantly affect pollen in the air. Winds known as updrafts pick up pollen on the ground and pull it into the clouds during thunderstorms, breaking up the pollen’s tiny grains like a flour sifter. Downdrafts, which occur when it rains, flutter that pollen through the air. This kind of activity can make it harder to breathe, especially for people with allergy-induced asthma.
“Most allergic reactions won’t go away unless you eliminate the allergen, or remove yourself from the situation,” says Rung-Chi Li, DO, allergist and immunologist, Northern Light Health. “To reduce symptoms, consider taking an over-the-counter medication, such as an antihistamine, a nasal spray, or rinsing with a saline solution to help flush out irritants.”
There is good news! The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) notes that allergy immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, has been a proven treatment for more than 100 years. “Immunotherapy reduces the effect of allergens on the body by changing the immune system,” says Dr. Li. “It even prevents the development of new allergies and asthma.”
If allergy symptoms are more than annoying and decrease your quality of life, talk to your primary care provider about a referral to an allergist. “We can evaluate specific triggers and recommend whether immunotherapy, medications, or a combination approach is right for you,” says Dr. Li.