The sneezing, sniffling, runny nose and itchy eyes are all too familiar to anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies. And if it seems like those allergy symptoms are happening more often, you may be right.
“Every year my patients come in saying that this allergy season feels worse than the last,” says Rana Misiak, M.D., an allergy specialist at Henry Ford Health. “And there is evidence to support that.”
How Climate Change is Impacting Pollen Season
Climate change is affecting allergies by altering pollen production in three important 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,” says Dr. Misiak. “And that results in pollen circulating in the air for a longer period of time.” She says the average pollen season is now about three weeks longer than it used to be.
- Higher pollen production: Warmer temperatures are also helping plants be more productive. That means that the amount of pollen produced by each plant is greater than in previous allergy seasons. “Research shows that pollen production is about 20% higher than it used to be,” says Dr. Misiak.
- More potent pollen: The pollen plants are producing now is stronger and more capable of triggering an allergic response than the pollen of the past, according to Dr. Misiak.
“It’s a triple whammy for people with allergies,” says Dr. Misiak. “There’s more pollen being produced, it’s in the air longer and it’s more potent.”
Why You Should Learn Your Allergy Triggers
Given that seasonal allergies are becoming more prevalent—and for some more severe—it’s more important than ever to get 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,” says Dr. Misiak. 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 and talk about your symptoms and when you experience them. Then, they’ll likely want to do allergy testing to determine your triggers.
Allergy & Immunology at Henry Ford Health
The most common type of allergy testing is the 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 you’ve identified your triggers, 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,” says Dr. Misiak. “So the same treatments also might not work for everyone.”
How to Treat Seasonal Allergies
Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to can help you manage symptoms better, 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. And 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,” says Dr. Misiak. “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,” says Dr. Misiak. Generally, you receive shots weekly for six months, then monthly for about three to five years.
While medication or shots can help most people manage allergy symptoms, Dr. Misiak also recommends that everyone practice allergen-avoidance techniques. This can include things like:
- Keeping your windows closed to keep pollen out of your house
- Taking a shower before bed to wash pollens off your body
- Washing your clothes daily to remove pollens
- Wearing 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,” says Dr. Misiak. “That means you’ll have fewer symptoms and need less medication to treat them.”
Reviewed by Rana Misiak, M.D., an allergy specialist at Henry Ford Health.
