Pollen Levels Are Increasing Rapidly Across the U.S.
Pollen counts are on the upswing across much of the U.S. as temperatures increase, storms ignite, and flowers bloom. Here is what you need to know about where the pollen is circulating at the highest levels, how this allergen impacts the body, and what you can do to mitigate the symptoms.
Spring is in the Air - In the Form of Increasing Pollen Levels
Spring has sprung, sending allergy sufferers running for cover. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, this spring is shaping up to be a difficult time for the 106 million Americans who deal with pollen-induced seasonal allergies or asthma. Approximately 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies. The most frequent symptoms are itchy eyes, sore throats, runny noses, and sneezing.
You are not imagining it if it feels like your allergy symptoms are becoming more of a nuisance. A 2021 study demonstrated that the normal allergy season increased by an average of 20 days between the years 1990 and 2018. Scientists blame the impacts of climate change on the longer allergy season.
It makes sense that a longer allergy season will naturally translate to more severe allergy symptoms. Despite this being the beginning of the spring season, tree, grass, and weed pollen counts are already starting to soar across the western and southern portions of the country. This is largely due to the unseasonably warm temperatures and frequent storm activity as of late.
The recent March heat wave spreading from west to east will begin to send allergen levels higher well into the Ohio Valley in the days ahead. As of the first day of spring, pollen levels were registering high in about 30 states.
Plants release pollen with increasing regularity in the spring in a biological effort to provide nourishment for other plants of the same species. Humans then breathe in these powdery particles as they circulate in the lower levels of the atmosphere.
Pollen impacts the body in numerous ways. The inhalation of the pollen stimulates the body's natural immune system, triggering antibodies that see the allergen as a threat. As the immune system attacks the allergens, the body releases histamines into the bloodstream. It is these histamines that are responsible for the overt allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes.
It can often be difficult to distinguish between normal allergy symptoms and the common cold or COVID-19. The presence of a fever is usually indicative of COVID-19 and not a cold or allergies. Most allergy sufferers also do not report a loss of taste or smell, a symptom most frequently seen in COVID-19 cases.
Cities Notorious for Being Allergy Hotspots
In general, more cities in the western U.S. see higher pollen counts when compared to their eastern counterparts. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America publishes a ranking of U.S. communities based on pollen levels, the number of over-the-counter and prescription medications used per patient, and the number of board-certified allergists per patient across the 50 most populous cities in the nation.
Leading this year's list is Boise, Idaho. San Diego, California; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Provo, Utah; and Rochester, New York round out the top five. The rest of the top 10 includes Wichita, Kansas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Ogden, Utah; Spokane, Washington; and Greenville, South Carolina.
Grass and weed pollen levels climbing in the western U.S. have been blamed on a higher incidence of allergy issues in this part of the country when compared to years past.
Tips for Controlling Allergy Symptoms
You cannot control Mother Nature. However, there are steps that you can take to help ease allergy symptoms. Allergy sufferers would be wise to check pollen counts before heading outside. The most current readings can be found on local news and weather sites or at the website operated by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau.
When it comes to the treatment of allergies, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Allergy medications are the most effective if taken before the pollen begins to float through the air. Your personal health care provider can advise you when to start treatment. In general, it is recommended to start treatment roughly two weeks before symptoms usually present themselves.
There are also steps that you can take inside the home to keep the air cleaner. Start by using high-efficiency filters in the home's HVAC system. These filters work harder to keep indoor air clean by trapping pollen and other allergens before they can seep into the home. Simply closing the windows in your home and vehicle is another easy strategy to limit the amount of pollen that invades these spaces.
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