How to cope with worsening allergy seasons
Double down to deal with more pollen over a longer period.
- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
It's not your imagination: as the climate changes, allergy season is starting earlier each year, lasting longer, and blanketing us with more pollen. How is this phenomenon making allergy seasons harsher, and how can you cope?
Climate change and pollen
Most scientists believe that the primary cause of climate change is a rise in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is a consequence of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
"Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat, and as a result we are seeing increasing temperatures, also known as global warming," says Dr. Amanda Dilger, who studies the effect of climate change on ear, nose, and throat (ENT) health, and is an ENT surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear.
Global warming is affecting the way plants use energy and grow. "Plants like ragweed, a common fall allergen, and grass, a late spring and summer allergen, now have longer growing seasons. They are producing higher amounts of pollen and are growing in new geographic locations," Dr. Dilger says.
For example, a study published in PNAS found that nationwide pollen levels increased up to 21% between 1990 and 2018.
What causes allergies?Seasonal allergies are the result of an overactive immune system — one that reacts against harmless foreign substances (allergens), like tree or plant pollen, as if they were a dangerous threat. If you have allergies, when you breathe in tiny pollen particles or other allergens, immune cells in the nose release chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms and recruit more immune cells to fight. The bigger the battle that your immune system wages, the worse you'll feel. |
New risks
The longer allergy season poses several problems. One is that increased pollen levels might worsen outdoor air quality and cause new or more intense seasonal allergy symptoms, Dr. Dilger notes.
Another issue is that it can be harder to predict when your allergies might crank up, and when you should begin preparing for them with medications and nasal sprays — which is typically a month in advance of when you anticipate symptoms (starting early helps ward them off).
A changing allergy season might also make it harder to discern the difference between allergy symptoms and upper respiratory illness, causing you to delay treatment. Dr. Dilger suggests paying attention to daily pollen counts and taking an over-the-counter allergy medication; if symptoms seem to get worse when the outdoor air quality changes and improve with medication, that's a telltale sign that your allergies are flaring.
Coping in a changed world
Rougher allergy seasons aren't a fluke; they're the new normal. And you're probably going to have to do more to navigate them than you did before. Dr. Dilger advises taking as many of the following steps as possible.
- If you have any new or worsening symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, and facial pressure, check with your health care provider to see if symptoms are due to allergies or other nasal issues such as a sinus infection. It's especially important to call your provider if you have symptoms of infection such as a fever, general discomfort or fatigue, facial pain, or discolored nasal drainage.
- Avoid allergy triggers by staying indoors with the windows closed, especially on days with strong winds, high pollen counts, or both.
- Minimize outdoor activities that can increase your pollen exposure, such as gardening and lawn mowing, when pollen counts in your community are high.
- If you're going to be outside for more than a few minutes, wear a disposable mask, and throw it out when you're back indoors. Also, toss your clothes into the wash, and take a shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Check outdoor air quality in your area using the Air Quality Index. "If high pollen counts or poor air quality are in the forecast, start taking your allergy medication before symptoms start," Dr. Dilger advises.
- When indoors, run the air conditioning with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and use a dehumidifier to help reduce allergens and humidity.
For more information, check out the Harvard Special Health Report Controlling Your Allergies.
Image: © /Getty Images
About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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