(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a concerning environmental situation that might affect Americans’ health as Spring is around the corner, a great number of Americans have reported an increase in allergy-related symptoms earlier than usual.
Usually, allergy season starts around April, when pollen levels soar and trigger symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat for those prone to allergies.
Yet, experts attribute the early onset of allergies to a rise in pollen levels over recent years, fueled by milder winters.
A recent study by Pollen.com conducted in mid-March highlighted southern states like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida faced a deluge of pollen, with levels ranging from 9.7 to 12 pollen count.
IGQVIA, a North Carolina IT health company deployed machines across the nation over three days to measure pollen exposure levels. Data showed that 22 % of the country faced a “medium” pollen status with counts ranging from 7.3 to 9.6 this week.
Residents in the East Coast and Midwest also reported heightened allergy symptoms and New Yorkers experienced medium pollen counts this week.
Virginia Meteorologist Ros Runner pointed out that warmer temperatures hastened allergy symptoms among East Coast residents earlier than usual.
“Usually, I’ll have some allergies, and it usually doesn’t affect me until mid-April,” a resident in Chesterfield, Virginia, told Richmond station WWBT. “But it started affecting me last week.”
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center allergist Dr. Tiffany Owens warned that the early onset of allergies often surprises people which leaves them unprepared with medications or preventive measures.
A Climate Central analysis from 2023 revealed that allergy season extended by an average of 15 days across 200 cities between 1970 and 2021 due to earlier springs and longer freeze-free periods which allowed plants to release more pollen.
Scientists attribute the surge in pollen production to higher levels of carbon dioxide resulting from human activities.
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group allergist Dr. Andy Nish offered advice on navigating allergy season, which includes keeping windows closed, avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollen times, using allergy medications and wearing masks.
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