Climate change may have you reaching for more tissues when the blooming begins this spring and beyond. New research from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture shows that pollen seasons now start 20 days earlier and are 10 days longer than in past decades. On top of that, there's about 21% more pollen in the air compared to 1990.
Experts from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology say warmer temperatures, longer growing seasons, and decreased air quality all play a part. Allergist Kathleen May notes that "More pollen means more days of suffering with asthma and allergy symptoms. People across the country are aware they need to start allergy and asthma medication sooner because symptoms arrive earlier and stay longer." Symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat and eyes, and wheezing are becoming more prevalent. Pollen can also aggravate asthma, causing more coughing and wheezing.
The bottom line is that patients with seasonal allergies and asthma may need to adjust their management plans. Avoiding as much pollen as possible is key, but experts also recommend allergy shots for people who have severe reactions or a prescription tablet that dissolves under the tongue for patients with grass or ragweed allergies. About 75% of adults between 20 and 40 years old have at least one allergy, and as many as 80% of kids with nasal allergies also have asthma.
