If you’ve been sneezing more than usual and feel like your allergies are already in full swing, you’re not alone.
Americans across the country are reporting that allergy season has hit them early, despite it not yet being spring.
Experts say this could be because pollen levels have increased over the past few years, which could be due to milder winters.
Doctors in the Midwest and on the East Coast have said more patients are coming in with allergy-related complaints than usual this time of year, since most allergy seasons don’t usually start until April.
In addition, national data shows that states in the South have been hit hard by ‘pollen bombs.’
The above map shows pollen counts over most of the United States per March 12 based on data submitted by machines in states – which are marked with the bruises. The results for each state were calculated by IQVIA, the North Carolina-based company behind the allergy alert, and are based on how much pollen a person is likely to be exposed to over the next three days
Allergy sufferers in several states have reported that their symptoms are starting earlier than usual, which may be due to high pollen counts from increasingly warmer temperatures
The CDC estimates that more than a quarter of American adults are affected by seasonal allergies each year.
Data from Pollen.com, which provides national allergy forecasts and pollen counts, has found that 22 percent of the country is in ‘medium’ status as of this week.
States hardest hit so far, according to this data, appear to be those in the South, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.
However, allergy sufferers on the East Coast and in the Midwest have also noticed that their symptoms start earlier than usual.
Ros Runner, a meteorologist at 12 On Your Side in Virginia, said warmer temperatures in the state have kicked residents’ allergies into gear faster.
“Usually I’ll have some allergies, and it usually doesn’t affect me until mid-April,” an unnamed resident of Chesterfield, Virginia, told the outlet. ‘But it started to affect me last week.’
Rising temperatures in Ohio could cause similar effects, experts said.
Dr. Tiffany Owens, an allergist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, said NBC 4: ‘We actually had some pollen counts showing tree pollen in February, which is very unusual.
“We usually only see that earlier in April.
“For patients, it’s a bit of a surprise because they might not expect it so early, they might not be prepared with their medications or with avoidance measures, so they start to feel uncomfortable.”
A 2021 study found that the pollen season starts about 20 days earlier and has 21 percent more pollen than it did in 1990
A report conducted last year by Climate Central found that allergy season has lengthened by an average of 15 days in 200 cities between 1970 and 2021
One 2021 examination found that the pollen season starts about 20 days earlier and has 21 percent more pollen than it did in 1990.
Scientists say this may be driven by higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) causing more pollen to be released.
As well as pollen levels being higher and striking earlier, evidence also suggests that the pollen season is lasting longer – which can also increase the risk of developing allergies.
This is not the first year that allergy season has come early. An analysis published last year by Climate Central found that allergy season has lengthened by an average of 15 days in 200 cities between 1970 and 2021.
The report estimates that those in Reno, Nevada, had to deal with a 99-day extension of their allergy season.
Others among the worst hit were Bend, Oregon, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, which each saw their allergy seasons lengthen by 83 days and 73 days, respectively.
Commenting on the data, Climate Central said: ‘Earlier spring and longer periods of frost-free days means plants have more time to flower and release allergenic pollen.’
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to foreign substances, such as pollen, bee venom, pet dander or certain foods.
The immune system produces antibodies known as IgE, which help defend the body against invaders. If you have an allergy, your body will develop IgE antibodies to identify that substance as harmful.
For seasonal allergies, the body’s immune response causes symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose or eyes, runny or stuffy nose, and watery or red eyes.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA), 81 million Americans were diagnosed with seasonal allergies. That’s about 26 percent (67 million) of adults and 19 percent of children (14 million).
In addition, the CDC estimates that one in three adults and one in four children report having a seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy.
ONE 2023 report from the agency notes that white, non-Hispanic adults are more likely to have seasonal allergies (28.4 percent) compared to black, non-Hispanic (24 percent), Hispanic (18.8 percent) and Asian, non-Hispanic (17 percent) adults.
The AAFA states that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.
Those with a family history of seasonal allergies or who have asthma are more likely to develop them.
It was told by Dr. Andy Nish, an allergist at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group NewsMax that methods to reduce pollen exposure include keeping car and home windows closed, avoiding going out at noon when pollen levels are highest, buying an air purifier and wearing a mask.
Additionally, he suggested removing your shoes as soon as you enter your home and washing any clothes you wore outside.