ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The spring season can be a wonderful time featuring good weather and slowly greening scenery to admire.
For the many people who suffer from spring allergies, however, that same scenery can cause multiple health issues. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in 2021 alone, approximately 81 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever. This equals around 26 percent (67 million) of adults and 19 percent (14 million) of children.
With those types of numbers in mind, there are some precautions people can take, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms, it’s a good idea to stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air,” the Mayo Clinic noted. “It’s also recommended to avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens and remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair. It’s also highly recommended to avoid hanging laundry outside as pollen can stick to sheets and towels, and wear a face mask if you do outside chores. Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there's a lot of pollen in the air, so it’s good to check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or the internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels. If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start. Close doors and windows at night if possible or any other time when pollen counts are high. Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.”
A 2024 article from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) noted spring allergy seasons have been lengthening for multiple years.
“The changing climate has caused shifts in precipitation patterns, more frost-free days, warmer seasonal air temperatures, and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These changes may lead to both higher pollen concentrations and earlier and longer pollen seasons,” the HHS release noted. “Data from the USA National Phenology Network indicates on average, the start of spring has occurred earlier in the contiguous United States since 1984. Researchers discovered nationwide, total pollen amounts increased up to 21 percent between 1990 and 2018, with the greatest increases recorded in Texas and the Midwest. One studylinks to an external website found that nationwide, total pollen amounts increased up to 21 percent between 1990 and 2018, with the greatest increases recorded in Texas and the Midwest. Some of these changes in pollen due to climate change could have major impacts on human health such as increasing individuals’ exposure to pollen and their risk of having allergy and/or asthma symptoms.”
Another way to help reduce exposure to allergens is keeping indoor air clean.
“There's no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help: Use air conditioning in your house and car, and if you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules,” the Mayo Clinic noted. “Also, it’s a good idea to keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier and use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom. It’s also recommended to clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.”
Yale Medicine added seasonal allergies can be treated in a variety of ways.
“Most often, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines help suppress the body’s immune response, providing relief from symptoms. Decongestants can be used to relieve congestion. Over-the-counter cough medications are commonly recommended as well,” Yale Medicine noted. “For people who need additional relief, antihistamine or steroidal nose sprays can be prescribed by your doctor. These help calm the body’s immune response to seasonal airborne allergens. If you need more specialized care, your doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy. This helps your immune system build up a tolerance against an allergen by exposing you to the irritant in small doses. Allergen immunotherapy can be given in two ways: subcutaneous injections, where a doctor administers a series of shots containing those specific allergens that are given in the doctor’s office over many months or years, usually in the arm; and Sublingual immunotherapy, where allergy sufferers can try prescription tablets or drops that dissolve under the tongue (sublingually). Sublingual immunotherapy is only available for grass and ragweed allergies, however.”
The Mayo Clinic added another treatment option is rinsing the sinuses.
“Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution (nasal irrigation) is a quick, inexpensive and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and allergens from your nose,” the Mayo Clinic noted. “Saline solutions can be purchased ready-made or as kits to add to water. If you use a kit or home-made saline solution, use bottled water to reduce the risk of infection. Homemade solutions should have one quart (one liter) of water, 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) of canning salt and 1 teaspoon (five milliliters) of baking soda. Rinse the irrigation device after each use with clean water and leave open to air-dry.”
