If your seasonal allergies seem to be lingering longer than usual, you’re not alone. Experts suggest that a warming climate may be one of the reasons behind extended allergy seasons.
Seasonal allergies are a widespread issue, affecting 25.7% of adults and 18.9% of children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, watery eyes, itchy throat, and itchy ears.
Climate Change and Longer Allergy Seasons
Dr. Jennifer Toh, an allergist with ENT and Allergy Associates, explains that climate change is contributing to longer allergy seasons. “We’re actually seeing longer allergy seasons due to climate change,” she notes.
Typically, grass pollen season runs from June to August, but this year, it has extended into September. Meanwhile, fall allergens like ragweed and weeds began earlier than usual, starting in early August. Dr. Toh suspects that climate change will continue to extend these seasons, causing what she describes as a “double whammy” of allergens.
Tips for Managing Seasonal Allergies
To stay healthy during the prolonged allergy season, Dr. Toh recommends:
Know your allergens.
Start allergy medication early, ideally before the season begins.
Remove shoes when entering your home, change clothes, and shower to wash off outdoor allergens.
Managing Asthma During Allergy Season
For asthma sufferers, Dr. Toh emphasizes the importance of knowing which medications to take and ensuring they are non-expired. This is especially crucial during what is known as “Asthma Peak Week,” which occurs in the third week of September. During this time, emergency room visits and hospitalizations increase due to a combination of fall allergens, the return of children to school, and cooler weather driving people indoors, where respiratory infections spread more easily.
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