Across the United States, allergy seasons are starting earlier, lasting longer and hitting people harder. Experts say warmer temperatures and rising CO2 levels are increasing pollen production, and many people report worse allergy symptoms this spring. First-time allergy symptoms in adulthood are becoming more common.
Lisa Olson-Gugerty, a teaching professor of public health at Syracuse University and a practicing family nurse practitioner, explains that pollen seasons now often begin sooner and can overlap between plant types. When different trees and plants pollinate at the same time, exposure to pollen becomes stacked and continuous. That keeps the immune system activated for longer and can cause more severe and persistent symptoms. Pollution also makes pollen more irritating to the airways.
Storms can break pollen grains into tiny particles that travel deep into the lungs, a phenomenon called "thunderstorm asthma," and this can trigger severe asthma attacks in some people. Olson-Gugerty advises that itching tends to point to allergies, while fever and body aches point to infection. She warns against assuming a new seasonal illness is only a cold and notes that starting medication early works best.
Difficult words
- pollen — Fine plant particles that cause allergy symptoms.
- overlap — To happen at the same time as another thing.
- exposure — Contact with something that may affect your health.
- persistent — Continuing for a long time without stopping.
- pollution — Dirty substances in the air that harm breathing.
- thunderstorm asthma — Severe breathing problems after storms when pollen becomes tiny.
- trigger — To cause something to start or happen suddenly.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you or someone you know experienced worse allergy symptoms recently? Describe what changed and how you dealt with it.
- What steps would you take early in the season if you began to have itchy eyes or a runny nose?
- How could weather warnings about storms help people with asthma or serious allergies?
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