Allergies are bad right now. Here's what you can do about it.
If you're sensitive to pollen, you might notice that your allergies are particularly bad right now. You're not alone, medical experts say.
There are three periods every year when different types of pollen reach their peak. The spring (roughly March through May or June) is dominated by tree pollen, late spring and summer (May to July) features grass pollen and late summer and fall (August to October or November) brings weed pollens such as ragweed, says board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Kara Wada.
"The worst time of year for allergies depends on what an individual is allergic to," adds board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Sakina Bajowala. "If you are allergic to multiple environmental allergens, symptoms may be most bothersome during those months when you have an overlap of multiple allergens."
Here's why you're going through so many tissues right now, according to allergy experts.
Why are my allergies so bad right now?
Allergy experts say there are a number of reasons why your allergies might be feeling particularly terrible at the moment.
For one, May sees an overlap between tree and grass pollen, which leads to "particularly high overall pollen loads, making it a notoriously difficult month for many allergy sufferers across the U.S.," Wada notes.
The weather can also forecast how much you might be sneezing on a given day. Pollen is highest on days that are warm, dry and windy, Wada notes.
"Especially during morning hours for ragweed or evening hours for tree and grass pollens," she adds. "Rain can temporarily wash pollen away, but counts can surge afterward."
Research has also shown that allergy seasons are getting longer and more intense thanks to climate change.
"Warmer temperatures are leading to earlier springs and later frosts," Wada explains. "This isn't just a perception; it's backed by data showing increased pollen counts and longer growing seasons. Prepare for potentially tougher seasons ahead."
Am I sick or is it allergies?
While sneezing and blowing your nose are common allergy ailments, they can also sometimes indicate other issues.
"Don't confuse allergies with colds, the flu or COVID," Wada warns. She notes that while some symptoms, such as runny nose, cough and fatigue, can overlap, "allergies typically don't cause fevers and often involve significant itching" of the eyes and/or nose. And colds usually resolve within a week to 10 days, whereas allergy symptoms continue to show up as long as the allergen is still around.
If allergies actually are to blame, experts recommend one or more of the following remedies to ease your symptoms:
- Avoidance. Wada recommends monitoring daily pollen and mold counts online and staying indoors with closed windows on days with especially high pollen counts. At home, Bajowala suggests installing HEPA filters and washing bedding weekly in hot water. When you do go outside, shower afterward and change your clothes. And if you're doing yard work or spending a lot of time outside on high pollen days, an N95 or KN95 mask can help, too.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. A number of products found in your local drugstore can help, including nasal steroid sprays (which work best when used consistently beginning two to four weeks before allergy season), antihistamines (make sure to pick out a non-drowsy option) and saline nasal rinses (such as a neti pot or saline spray bottle, which can help flush pollen and mucus out of your nasal passages).
- Consulting a doctor or allergy specialist. "If OTC measures aren't providing enough relief, it's time to see an allergist," Wada says. "We can confirm your specific triggers through testing and discuss prescription medications or other therapies like immunotherapy."