If your sinuses haven’t already alerted you, allergy season is upon us – and it’s sooner and stronger than expected.
Spring weather is spreading quickly across the central part of the country, according to the U.S. National Phenology Network, which tracks climate and seasonal changes and data. Compared to the long-term average from 1991 to 2020, Denver is 6 days ahead, Chicago 15 days ahead and Detroit 23 days ahead, according to the network.
It was the same for last year’s allergy seasonas several parts of the United States experienced spring-like conditions weeks earlier, forcing people with spring allergies to manage their symptoms earlier and longer than usual.
Researchers predict these are not outlier years, pointing out climate change as responsible for worsening allergy season.
Last winter it was hottest ever recorded Across the continental United States, fewer days below freezing meant plants could flower earlier and longer.
“Pollen seasons start earlier and get worse with more pollen in the air,” William Anderegg, an associate professor at the University of Utah, told CBS News, pointing to heat as “one of the main factors”.
Between 1990 and 2018, the amount of pollen increased by 21%, according to a recent study written by Anderegg.
Here’s what else to know about pollen season this year:
Pollen count for spring 2024
Dr. Rachna Shah, an allergist and director of the Loyola Medicine Allergy Count, told The Associated Press that she typically begins looking at pollen counts in the Chicago area in April. But she took a look at her data in mid-February and found that tree pollen was already at a “moderate” level.
“This season has been so crazy,” Shah said. “It’s true that the winter was rather mild, but I didn’t expect it to be so early.”
Is the situation worse in certain cities?
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual rankings, the five hardest cities to live in if you have allergies this year are: Wichita, Kansas; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; Dallas; and Oklahoma City.
This is based on the use of over-the-counter medications, pollen counts, and the number of allergy specialists available.
Where does pollen come from?
Pollen is shed by trees, grasses and weeds, says Dr. Neil Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group.
“So these are outside the house, but that pollen can also come inside the house,” he told CBS News Sacramento. “Understand that when you go outside and breathe that air, you’re exposed to pollen. So the longer it stays on your body, in your nose and eyes and sinuses, the more likely you are to react.” and I feel bad because of them.
For this reason, if you’re outside with a lot of pollen and have allergies, Parikh suggests a few steps after coming indoors, including taking a shower, changing clothes, and flushing the sinuses with salt water.
HEPA air purifiers can also help eliminate pollen that comes from outside to inside your home, he says.
Can seasonal allergies cause fever, cough, headache, sore throat?
There are several allergy symptoms to be aware of, says Parikh, including:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- To cough
The Cleveland Clinic says allergies can cause a sore throat due to postnasal drip, which is when discharge from your nose drips to the back of your throat.
Allergens can also cause sinus headaches even if you have no other allergy symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. This is caused by swelling of the sinuses which blocks the openings, prevents drainage and causes a build-up of pressure.
However, fever is not a symptom of allergies.
“If you have a runny or stuffy nose and a fever, you may have a sinus infection. Sinus infections are caused by bacteria or viruses, not allergies,” notes the association.
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