Welcome to allergy season. Here's how to protect yourself
WDSU • • health
Key Points:
- Allergy season affects tens of millions of Americans with symptoms like runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing, and its severity varies based on location, allergens, and lifestyle factors.
- Climate change is contributing to longer and more intense allergy seasons due to milder winters and extended growing periods, with recent years seeing some of the worst allergy seasons on record.
- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America named Boise, Idaho; San Diego; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Provo, Utah; and Rochester, New York as the top five "allergy capitals" based on pollen counts, medication use, and specialist availability.
- Experts recommend avoiding pollen exposure by keeping windows closed, wearing long sleeves outdoors, showering and changing clothes after being outside, and using saline rinses and masks for symptom relief.
- Over-the-counter nasal sprays and allergy pills are effective treatments when used correctly, and those with severe symptoms impacting daily life should consult allergists for advanced therapies; popular remedies like local honey lack scientific support.
