Springtime comes with an uptick in stuffy
noses and scratchy throats, and for many it has nothing to do with
COVID-19.
There are 19.2 million adults and 5.2 million children in the United States who
suffer from seasonal allergies, also called hay fever, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Some of the symptoms of allergies, like
congestion, coughing and a runny nose, overlap with warning signs of COVID-19,
but if your nose turns into a leaky faucet every spring, then allergies are the
likely culprit.
Unfortunately, that’s where the good news
ends. Several studies show that pollen seasons are getting longer and more
intense across the country. Climate change and rising carbon dioxide emissions
are expected to boost the growth of trees and grasses in many areas, which will
mean higher pollen concentrations.
“For people who have been managing seasonal
allergies for a long time, they may have already noticed allergy symptoms
starting earlier, lasting longer and being more intense than even a few years
ago,” said Kenneth Mendez, the president and chief executive of the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America.
In the Southeast, pollen counts start rising
as early as January for some trees, including cedar and juniper. Elm, maple and
oak trees have pollen seasons that can run from March to May. And in the
northern United States, several types of grasses also start releasing pollen in
late spring or early summer, according to the AAFA. (Though flowers are often
blamed, they don’t usually trigger seasonal allergies because their pollen is
large and sticky, designed to attract insects rather than float through the
air.)
You cannot avoid pollen entirely, but there
are ways to prevent or reduce symptoms. And you may just have to take these
steps a little earlier every year, Mendez said.
Find Medication That Works for You
Several over-the-counter and prescription
medications can help with allergy symptoms. Many doctors recommend nasal
steroid sprays like Nasonex (with a prescription) or Flonase as the first line
of treatment, said Dr. Sandra Hong, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic.
But they may take a few days or weeks to
provide relief from stuffiness and sneezing, so it is best to begin using them
early in the season, before your symptoms become severe. Antihistamines —
whether sprays like Astelin; pills like Allegra, Claritin or Zyrtec; or eye
drops like Optivar — are other alternatives to take when needed, because they
have a more immediate effect, she said.
Decongestants like Afrin or Sinex can also
come to the rescue in a pinch. But Hong recommended these drugs last because
they can have a rebound effect. After a few days of using decongestants, the
blood vessels in your nose become less responsive to the medication and you may
feel severe congestion again. So limit these medicines to no more than three
days in a row.
Give Your Sinuses a Bath
For a medication-free option, consider nasal
irrigation. The practice traces back thousands of years to the Ayurvedic
medical traditions of India and its effectiveness is backed by research. To try
it yourself, use a neti pot, bulb syringe or squeeze bottle and pour a saline
solution in one nostril, letting it drain out the other.
“It seems like a simple concept, but it helps
flush out mucus, pollen and other allergens in your nasal cavity,” said Dr.
Laura Chong, an allergist at the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic in
Oklahoma City.
The result is that you feel less congested and
you may need less allergy medication, Chong said.
Plan Time Outdoors Wisely
Many popular weather apps and websites provide
“allergy forecasts” or pollen counts. On the National Allergy Bureau website
there is a list of more than 80 stations throughout the United States that
provide more detailed daily pollen updates based on different species of
plants. You can select the station closest to you and receive notifications for
the particular pollen allergy you have.
Reduce Pollen at Home
Avoid bringing pollen back inside after you
have been outdoors. Take your shoes off and change your clothes when you get
home. Shower before going to bed to remove pollen from your body. And don’t
have your furry pets sleep with you, Hong said. “Even if you’re not allergic to
your pets, there is pollen on their coats.”
In order to sleep better, you can try zipping
up your mattress and pillows in hypoallergenic encasements, washing bedding in
hot soapy water once a week and using a dryer instead of a clothesline.
Hong also recommended cleaning and replacing
your air-conditioner filter with one that has a Minimum Efficiency Reporting
Value (MERV) of 11 or higher. These filters are capable of capturing tiny
pollen particles. If you have severe allergies, you may even want to splurge
for a professional-style HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter in your
bedroom. HEPA filters typically have a MERV rating of 17 or higher and remove
99% of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust and other particles.
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