If you are one of the 16.9 million people in the U.S. that has been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, the news may not be good. Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as seasonal allergy or “hay fever,” is typically caused by outdoor allergens, usually pollen. People with hay fever have symptoms that can include runny nose, sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure. Symptoms can occur at different times of the year depending on the type of pollen:
- Spring: tree pollen
- Late spring and summer: grass pollen
- Fall: ragweed In addition to pollen, spores from fungi and molds can cause symptoms during warm-weather months.
So what is the bad news? Scientists have noted changes in all pollens. For example, the amount of pollen from ragweed is increasing, the ragweed season is getting longer and the potency of the pollen is getting stronger. Some data suggests that increases in average temperature and amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may contribute to changes in pollen. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors the temperatures in the U.S. and notes how well different plants grow in different areas. Gardeners know this as plant-hardiness zones. Hardiness zones are determined based on the average annual minimum winter temperature.
The USDA has determined that in some areas plant hardiness is shifting northward. Later frosts and warmer temperatures make the growing season longer for ragweed. With a longer season, there are more plants producing more pollen. Compounding the problem of increased amounts of pollen, scientists have also determined that increased carbon dioxide in the air means there is more of a specific protein, Amb a 1, in the ragweed pollen, making each grain more potent. All of this adds up to more allergic responses for people with hay fever, even those who have had mild allergies in the past. What should you do if you suffer from hay fever? The good news is that many people can manage their seasonal allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines. When OTC medications are not enough, an allergist can advise on the cause of the allergy, and provide prescription medications and avoidance measures to control the symptoms. The only way to significantly reduce your response to seasonal allergens is through allergy shots. This spring, if the sneezing starts, you may be feeling the effects of the increasing amount of pollen. Your best course of action may be to consult an allergist.
—Sources: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, April 2014
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