The spring allergy season is upon us and there's one pattern that is causing symptoms to persist longer and potentially be more severe.
"Our summers are hotter and our winters are also warming," says Onello. "We also have more extremes."
Which equates to a longer allergy season.
"Anywhere from three to four weeks longer than it used to be," she adds. "So if you're a seasonal allergy sufferer, that means that you're having your symptoms, or having to take your allergy medications for a longer period of time."
But that's not the only issue. There's more pollen in the air, and extreme weather can produce more mold, and wildfires.
"If there's wildfire smoke say blowing in from Canada here in Minnesota, am I having itchy, runny eyes and a stuffy nose from the wildfire smoke? Or is it seasonal allergies? And the answer is probably a little bit of both," says Onello.
She says studies now clearly show that climate change is making things worse and exacerbating issues.
"If you have more extreme weather events like a lot of heavy rains, extended rains, flooding, that can lead to building materials, basements, things like that, getting wet," Onello explains. "Which, over time, it's not properly dealt with, can lead to molds and things like that. Which can also, unfortunately, be significant allergy triggers."
Experts from the University of Minnesota and elsewhere suggest several strategies to manage worsening allergy symptoms:
- Monitor Pollen Counts: Stay indoors on high-pollen days and during peak times, which are often from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Home Protection: Keep windows closed, use air conditioning, and use HEPA air filters.
- Personal Hygiene: Shower, wash hair, and change clothes after being outside to remove accumulated pollen.
- Treat Symptoms: Utilize over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and nasal saline rinses.
- Mask Usage: Wear a mask when doing yard work or gardening.
