Spring Allergies Expected to Worsen This Year. How to Find Relief

• Seasonal allergies seem to last longer and be more severe in recent years than in the past.
• Health and environment groups point to the effects of climate change, such as longer growing seasons, as a possible reason for worsening seasonal allergies.
• There are actionable steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to pollen and other allergens.

As we bid farewell to peak cold and flu season, another wave of sniffles and sneezes is taking over, courtesy of spring allergies.

With warmer air temperatures, pollinating plants may experience earlier and longer growing seasons, allowing them to produce more pollen.

“Climate change impacts allergy season because the consistent rhythm of, in the case of pollen, for example, new flowers being generated through Spring is all off kilter. Areas that were not pollinating at a given time are pollinating earlier, while other areas are pollinating later,” Frederic Bertley, PhD, president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), told Healthline.

“The trend we are seeing in recent years is an increase in allergic responses in individuals, generally speaking, and an increase in allergic responses by age,” he added.

All that coughing and wheezing comes with a price tag, too: current estimates put pollen-related medical expenses at more than $3 billion annually.

But, even with a worse allergy season, there are actionable strategies you can follow to decrease your pollen exposure and reduce your risk of allergies. Here’s your guide to staying sniffle-free and enjoying spring this year.

Limiting your exposure to pollen is the best way to prevent symptoms during allergy season. This means keeping your home clear of pollen while you’re inside.

Close doors and windows during allergy season to physically keep pollen from entering your home.

“Sometimes that is frustrating because we like the breeze from opening a window, but the fact of the matter is that if you open a window, the pollen and other antigens/allergens will come in from the outside and be inside your home,” said Bertley.

If possible, utilize HEPA filters on your HVAC system or air conditioning unit to keep pollen and other potential allergens such as mold out of your home.

A little “spring cleaning” can go a long way to help reduce allergens in your home. “Try to keep as clean as possible and try to be as dust-free as possible,” said Bertley.

Take time to dust and clean the house: Dust and dander around the home are bound to contain pollen and other allergens.

If you’re a pet owner, it might be time to bathe your furry friend. Not only can pets trigger specific allergies from their dander, but they can also bring pollen into the home.

This one is a no-brainer for anyone who came away from cold and flu season unscathed.

Like viruses, pollen is likely to be on your hands. Washing your hands frequently can prevent it from getting to sensitive areas like your eyes, mouth, nose, and throat.

If you plan to be outside regularly or engage in outdoor activities during allergy season, your chances of exposure to pollen are higher. Still, you can take a few precautions to help limit your exposure to pollen.

Local and regional weather services regularly forecast pollen levels in the air. If you will be outside, track weather and pollen levels to limit exposure.

If you’ve spent the day outside, your clothes will likely carry pollen back inside with you. Take a shower to remove pollen from your hair and body.

Consider washing your clothes immediately or storing them separately from other items to limit pollen spread.

If you have a severe allergic reaction to seasonal pollen, don’t risk going outside, especially if pollen levels are high.

“As much as we love Mother Nature, if you are very allergic to the things that Mother Nature provides, stay out of Mother Nature as best as possible until the season changes,” said Bertley.

In addition to prevention, there are many options for allergy relief from your doctor and local pharmacy.

Over-the-counter allergy medications include:

Stronger prescription versions of these types and of other drugs are also available through your doctor.

If spring allergies are preventing you from functioning normally, you should seek advice from your healthcare team.

Allergy immunotherapy is a series of treatments in which an allergen is gradually introduced to the body to build up immunity to it.

While it is possible to experience pollen-related allergies throughout the year, they are most commonly associated with the seasons when specific plants are pollinating, leading to high levels of pollen in the air.

“Allergies occur as an abnormal response to something normally occurring in the environment, specifically protein fragments from tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weeds in the winter,” Tania Elliott, MD, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, told Healthline.

Everyone responds to allergens differently, so you could be allergic to grass pollen but not tree pollen or ragweed.

The term “hay fever,” or allergic rhinitis, refers to an allergic reaction to pollens released from trees, grasses, and other vegetation, which causes cold-like symptoms.

• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• watery and itchy eyes
• itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
• ear congestion
• postnasal drainage

Seasonal allergies seem to last longer and be more severe than in years prior.

Experts believe climate change may affect seasonal allergies due to lengthening growing seasons.

You can take actionable steps to limit pollen exposure during allergy season. These include frequent handwashing, keeping doors and windows closed, checking daily pollen levels, and considering OTC or prescribed medications for relief.