If you swore your spring allergies are worse this year — between the sneezing, coughing fits, and bouts of rubbing your itchy, watery eyes — chances are you’re not wrong.
For the tens of millions of Americans who suffer from pollen each year, conditions are only getting worse as warmer temperatures exacerbate seasonal allergies, causing plants to bloom earlier and produce pollen longer in the season.
“When the seasons are milder, things start to thaw a lot quicker. … Things start to bloom earlier and pollen production starts earlier. We almost see it start weeks in advance, so “Those with seasonal allergies become much more symptomatic earlier than they normally would,” said Dr. Devang Doshi, an allergist at the Allergy, Asthma and Pulmonary Center in Royal Oak. not only begins earlier, but now continues for a longer duration, so pollen counts are higher and the season lasts longer.”
“This has unfortunately been a trend for a few years now, and it looks like it will get worse if temperatures remain milder each winter,” he continued.
After a particularly warm winter this year, it’s no wonder that this season’s allergies are significantly more intense.
What are seasonal allergies?
When pollen comes into contact with your eyes or nose, many people’s bodies recognize it as a foreign invader, like a bacteria or virus, and feel the need to defend against it. The defensive chemicals that the body releases are what cause these miserable allergy symptoms.
Spring allergies are most often caused by tree pollen, summer allergies are usually triggered by grasses, and fall allergy symptoms may be due to wheat, ragweed, or mold.
While all environmental allergies cause the same symptoms of itchy, runny eyes, nose and throat, Doshi says tree pollen tends to contribute more to seasonal allergies, given that the tall height of trees allows gusts of wind to easily sweep away powdery and particulate pollen. and spread it.
In metro Detroit, common types of trees that trigger allergy symptoms include oak, birch, maple, cedar and pine.
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What outdoor conditions worsen or improve allergies?
Dry, windy days make allergic conditions worse because gusty winds help further spread tiny pollen granules.
On the other hand, rainy or humid days can alleviate allergies by helping to “wash” tree pollen from the air or by making the pollen so moist that it cannot be transported as easily.
Additionally, pollen counts are typically higher in the morning, when plants release a greater amount of pollen in conjunction with daily pollinator activity and before humidity has had time to weigh down the pollen. pollen.
What is the best way to check pollen counts?
Doshi says it can be difficult to determine an exact pollen count, since pollen counts are likely to change based on conditions as general as the weather or as specific as your neighborhood.
“The weather plays a very important role…and then what’s happening locally,” Doshi said. “If you live in an area where people mow lawns regularly, that’s going to increase some of the pollen you’re exposed to.”
However, you can get a general idea of pollen counts by checking your local weather app or entering your zip code into a pollen count tracker like on The Weather Channel, IQAir or pollen.com.
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How to prevent or relieve allergies
You can prevent allergy symptoms by limiting your exposure to pollen and other environmental allergy triggers, especially when pollen levels are high:
- Keep all windows around you, whether they are your home, car or office windows, closed to block pollen.
- If you want to walk outside, wait until dusk or after a rainstorm when pollen levels are low.
- If you spend time outside, change your clothes or take a bath as soon as you return indoors to remove pollen stuck to your hair, clothes and body.
- If you have pets outside, wipe down their fur and paws to prevent them from tracking pollen inside your home.
- If these preventative measures aren’t enough, you can install electrostatic air intake filters to further keep your indoor environment pollen-free.
In terms of treatment, you can take antihistamines to suppress your body’s immune response or other over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms. If your allergic reactions are severe or you’re just feeling pretty miserable, doctors may recommend allergen immunotherapy to increase your tolerance to an allergen.
News Source : www.freep.com
Gn Health
