Longer and More Intense Allergy Seasons: How Climate Change Impacts Your Health

As pollen counts surge, exacerbating seasonal allergies, climate change is making it increasingly challenging for people to enjoy the outdoors. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has identified the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies, based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts, and the number of available allergy specialists. The top five cities are Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Memphis. With warmer winters and longer growing seasons, pollen stays in the air for longer periods, resulting in more severe allergy seasons. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks pollen levels across the US, providing valuable insights for those looking to minimize exposure.

Key Takeaways:

• The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America identifies Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Memphis as the top five most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies.
• There are three main types of pollen: tree, grass, and weed. Some common allergenic tree pollens include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak, and walnut, while grasses like Bermuda, Johnson, rye, and Kentucky bluegrass cause symptoms.
• The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks pollen levels through a network of counting stations across the US, providing valuable insights for those looking to minimize exposure.
• Avoiding exposure is the best step to controlling allergies. Keep windows closed, wear long sleeves to prevent pollen from coming into contact with skin, and change clothes and shower daily to remove pollen.
• Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies, but most patients use them incorrectly, irritating the nose. Experts recommend angling the nozzle outward toward the ear instead of sticking it straight up the nose.
• Immunotherapies may be necessary for severe allergy symptoms impacting daily life. Celebrities-backed remedies like incorporating local honey into the diet have been debunked as ineffective in alleviating allergy symptoms.
• Climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons, with warmer winters and longer growing seasons allowing pollen to stay in the air for longer periods.

Statistics:

• The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America identifies Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Memphis as the top five most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies. [1]
• The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks pollen levels across the US through a network of counting stations. [2]
• In late March, the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Center measured a pollen count of over 14,000 grains per cubic meter, considered extremely high. [3]
• Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies, but most patients use them incorrectly. [4]
• Climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons, with warmer winters and longer growing seasons allowing pollen to stay in the air for longer periods. [5]

Sources:

[1] The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

[2] American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

[3] Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Center

[4] Dr. Kathleen Mays, an allergist at Augusta University in Georgia

[5] AP News