Seasonal Allergies Getting Worse? Here's How to Cope
Seasonal allergy symptoms are intensifying and aging may make allergies more persistent
From longer days and warmer weather to flower blossoms and barbecues, there's much to love about spring. But for about one in four American adults, spring is also allergy season. If you feel like your itchy, watery eyes and stuffy nose are getting worse with time, you're not alone. Research suggests seasonal allergies – also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis – affect more people every year, and symptoms are intensifying. We spoke with experts to find out why and what you can do about it.
Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts upon perceiving a harmless foreign substance (allergen) as a threat. As the name implies, seasonal allergies occur at a specific time of year in response to environmental triggers, such as pollen or mold.
If your seasonal allergies seem increasingly annoying, you can blame climate change, first and foremost, says Duyen Nguyen, allergist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston.
"Global warming has worsened seasonal allergy symptoms in various ways," she says.
"Studies have shown that the pollen season is about three weeks longer now in the U.S. than 50 years ago."
For one, rising year-round temperatures have shortened frost season, allowing trees to grow and produce pollen earlier in spring and continue pollinating further into fall, she explains.
"Studies have shown that the pollen season is about three weeks longer now in the U.S. than 50 years ago," she says. According to a 2021 study that analyzed temperatures and pollen counts in the United States over 30 years, pollen season is also about eight days longer than it was in the early 1990s.
"In addition, climate change can cause stronger winds, higher storm surges and record rainfalls during hurricane season," Nguyen continues, aligning with research. "Stronger winds can cause pollen to travel farther, and more rainfall can cause increased mold spores in the atmosphere due to high humidity."
Moreover, industrialization and urbanization – key factors in climate change – have contributed to rising carbon dioxide levels in the air, says Purvi Parikh, M.D., allergist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. Because plants feed off carbon dioxide, this enables them to produce more pollen, she explains, aligning with research.
"So, in a sense the seasons are longer and stronger. The pollen itself is also becoming more allergenic (meaning its structure is evolving to be more likely to cause allergies)," Parikh says.
"In a sense the seasons are longer and stronger. The pollen itself is also becoming more allergenic."
In a study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology, scientists in South Korea grew trees in sealed chambers, allowing them to control the carbon dioxide levels inside. They raised the carbon dioxide levels to match the projected concentration for 2050 – 41 years from the date the trees were planted. When the trees bloomed in 2016, researchers found those planted in chambers with higher carbon dioxide levels produced significantly more pollen than those in chambers with lower CO2 concentrations. Researchers also found an increase in proteins on the pollen's surface, making them more allergenic.
Parikh also says that changes in diet – including consuming more ultra-processed foods and those with traces of pesticides – can disrupt the body's gut microbiome and immune system. Plus, increased air pollution from cars and factories may exacerbate seasonal allergies, she continues.
Allergies in Older Adults
For some people, age also makes allergies harder to handle. Research suggests about 5% to 10% of adults 65 and older have seasonal allergies — a rate far lower than the general population. One theory as to why is that people's immune systems tend to weaken with age, which may diminish the likelihood of allergic reactions, Parikh says. However, she continues, an increasing number of older adults are experiencing allergies and some are developing new ones in their 60s or even 70s.
While your friends may find allergy relief a welcome side effect of aging, the opposite may be true for you, says Raj Dasgupta, M.D., chief medical officer at Garage Gym Reviews and associate program director of the Internal Medicine residency program at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.
"Aging changes the way the immune system responds, sometimes making allergies less noticeable, but other times making symptoms more persistent."
"Aging changes the way the immune system responds, sometimes making allergies less noticeable, but other times making symptoms more persistent," Dasgupta says. "The nose and airways can also become drier, which makes congestion and irritation feel worse. Plus, after years of exposure, the body may just react more strongly to allergens over time."
Allergies can exacerbate existing health problems, as well, Dasgupta continues.
"If someone has COPD or asthma, allergy-related inflammation can make breathing harder," he says. "Allergy medications can also be tricky, since some cause drowsiness or dizziness, which can increase the risk of falls."
Many seasonal allergy risk factors — including genetics and global warming — are out of your control. But the following steps may help prevent symptoms, or at least make them more bearable.
Limit Exposure. Your first line of defense against allergies is to limit your exposure, says Bertrand Tillery Jr., M.D., family medicine physician at New Orleans East Hospital. Closing your windows during peak pollen times (early morning and late afternoons) is one way to do that, he says. He also recommends monitoring pollen forecasts and limiting your time outdoors when counts are high. Generally, pollen counts tend to be lower in the evening, Parikh says.
Cover Up. When you do go outside, wearing the right attire may help keep allergens at bay, Parikh says. "Wearing sunglasses or a hat may help keep pollen out of your eyes and hair," she says. "Similarly, a face covering may help prevent breathing in too much pollen."
Use Air Purifiers. Bertrand also recommends using air purifiers with HEPA filters, as these can help your indoor air clean and clear. "HEPA filters can trap pollen and other allergens, improving indoor air quality and reducing the amount of allergens you breathe in," he says.
"Wearing sunglasses or a hat may help keep pollen out of your eyes and hair."
Change Clothes After Going Outside. Pollen can stick to your clothes and hair, so it's best to clean up after spending time outdoors, Bertrand says. "By showering, you wash off any pollen and reduce its spread indoors," he says.
Take Preventative Medication. If you're worried about symptoms interfering with your day, Parikh says it's OK to take a preventative medication, like a nondrowsy antihistamine, before heading out. These work by blocking histamine, a chemical responsible for symptoms like sneezing, itching and congestion, Bertrand explains.
There are also several over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays you can use when symptoms strike, Nguyen says. These include cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and loratadine (Claritin) as well corticosteroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone (Flonase) and triamcinolone (Nasacort), she says.
"Patients can also add Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at night if allergy symptoms are severe," Nguyen adds. As always, if you're taking other medications, talk with your doctor before introducing any new ones to ensure it's safe to do so, Dasgupta says.
Consider an Allergy Shot. If the above doesn't cut it, you may consider asking your doctor about an allergy shot, Nguyen says.
"Known as a desensitization process, allergy shots involve regular injections containing small amounts of the allergens into our body. Over time, our immune system gets used to these injections, leading to the reduction of vigorous immune response to outside allergens and decreasing allergy symptoms," Nguyen explains.
On average, people take these shots once monthly for five years, she says, noting they're generally safe and effective, with no long-term side effects.
