Does it seem like your allergies are growing worse each passing year? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. In fact, climate experts have found that the amount of pollen in the air is increasing and that the allergy season is growing longer. We review what the research shows, what this means for you and how you can manage your symptoms below.
What the Research Shows
The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) published the study entitled “Anthropogenic climate change is worsening North American pollen seasons” in February 2021.
Researchers examined pollen data that was collected from 60 North American stations from 1990 to 2018, totaling 821 site-years of data. Earth system model simulations were also used to quantify the human impact on the climate.
The results of the study indicated that within the past three decades, pollen concentrations have increased by 21% and pollen seasons have increased an average of 20 days across North America.
What This Means for You
This increase in pollen concentration and pollen duration has major consequences for people with allergies and asthma triggered by pollen.
The study authors note that there have been significant increases in allergen sensitivity across all age groups in the U.S. When there’s more pollen sensitization in childhood, it leads to an increased number of adolescents and adults with allergic asthma.
This is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to this organization, 19.2 million adults and 5.2 million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with hay fever in the past 12 months.
How You Can Manage Your Symptoms
If you’re suffering from worsening seasonal allergies, it’s important to meet with an allergist at The House Institute and come up with a management plan, which may include the following:
- Practicing avoidance. You can avoid exposure to pollen by staying indoors when pollen counts are high, showering and changing clothes right away after spending time at Arts District Park and delegating yardwork to people without allergies.
- Taking medications. Over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and steroid nasal sprays can help you prevent and manage symptoms.
- Undergoing immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a long-term solution for treating allergies. It works by desensitizing your immune system to allergens like pollen over time.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call The House Institute today.
