Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies is no stranger to the itchy eyes, runny nose, sniffling and sneezing. If it feels like the time of year you suffer is getting longer, you might be right.
“Every year my patients come in saying that this allergy season feels worse than the last,” said Dr. Rana Misiak, an allergy specialist at Henry Ford Health. “There is evidence to support that.”
How climate change is impacting pollen season
Experts say climate change is to blame, as it alters pollen production in three ways:
Longer pollen season: Pollen season is starting earlier and lasting longer than it did in previous decades.
“A longer growing season means the plants have more time to produce pollen,” Misiak said. “And that results in pollen circulating in the air for a longer period of time.”
She said the average pollen season is now about three weeks longer than it used to be.
More pollen production: Warmer temperatures are also allowing plants to be more productive. That means that the amount of pollen produced by each plant is higher than in previous allergy seasons.
“Research shows pollen production is about 20% higher than it used to be,” Misiak said.
Stronger pollen: The pollen plants are producing now is more potent and more capable of causing an allergic response than the pollen of the past.
“It’s a triple whammy for people with allergies,” Misiak said. “There’s more pollen being produced, it’s in the air longer and it’s more potent.”
The importance of knowing your allergy triggers
With seasonal allergies becoming more prevalent -- and more severe for some -- it’s more important than ever to seek professional help.
“Seeing an allergist is the best way to identify your personal allergy triggers and then use that information to more effectively manage symptoms,” Misiak said.
This goes for people who’ve had allergies for years, as well as those suddenly developing new allergies.
First, your doctor will take a detailed medical history, talk about your symptoms and when you experience them. Then, they’ll likely do allergy testing to determine your triggers.
The most common type of allergy testing is a scratch or prick test. The doctor introduces a small drop of a possible allergen into your skin by scratching or pricking the surface. Then they measure your response to determine which substances you’re allergic to. In some cases, your doctor might do a blood test to measure levels of allergy-causing antibodies.
Once the triggers have been identified, it’s easier to create a focused and personalized treatment plan.
“People’s symptoms may look the same, but not everyone is allergic to the same things,” Misiak said. “So, the same treatments also might not work for everyone.”
Treating seasonal allergies
Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to can help you to better manage symptoms, reduce their severity and improve your overall quality of life. For example, if your biggest allergy trigger is tree pollens, you can track when those are expected to peak in your area. Before that happens, you can make changes to better avoid them and start using appropriate medications.
“This is especially important if you use nasal allergy sprays for your symptoms,” Misiak said. “To get the optimal effect from these, you need to start them about a month before allergy season starts.”
Other treatments like oral antihistamines and allergy eyedrops work more quickly and don’t need to be taken ahead of time.
For those who can’t get enough relief from allergy medications, allergy shots may be a good option.
“They can be highly effective at reducing sensitivity to allergens and the severity of your reactions,” Misiak said.
Patients generally receive shots weekly for six months, then monthly for about three to five years.
While shots and medication can help most people manage allergy symptoms, Misiak recommends everyone also practice allergen-avoidance techniques:
- Keep windows closed to keep pollen out of the house.
- Take a shower before bed to wash pollens off your body.
- Wash clothes daily to remove pollens.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat outdoors to keep pollen out of your eyes and hair.
“Even simple changes in your daily life during peak pollen season can minimize your exposure to allergens,” Misiak said. “That means you’ll have fewer symptoms and need less medication to treat them.”
To learn more about how doctors can help you find allergy relief, click or tap here.