It’s spring, which means that things are blooming. Great… unless you’re one of the many allergy sufferers out there! More than three and a half million people in the United States suffer from seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis.
In general, the allergy season starts in February or March and continues through October. Trees start making pollen the earliest, in February or March. Grasses join the pollen brigade in May, June, and July. The length of your allergy season depends on where you live — southern states may start to feel the effects of spring allergies as early as January!
Pollen is produced by flowering plants. Light, dry pollens — like those produced by trees, grasses, and some low-growing weeds — are easily airborne and can trigger severe allergy symptoms like runny rose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.
Early spring allergy triggers
- Oak trees
- Western red cedar trees
- Elm trees
- Birch trees
- Ash trees
- Hickory trees
- Poplar trees
- Sycamore trees
- Maple trees
- Cypress Trees
- Walnut trees
Late spring/early summer allergy triggers
- Timothy grass
- Bermuda grass
- Orchard grass
- Sweet vernal grass
- Red top grass
- Blue grass
Here are some tips to help reduce spring allergy problems!
- Keep your windows closed at night to keep pollen out! Use an air conditioner to help filter the air once the weather is warm enough.
- Avoid early morning activity — between five and ten am, when pollen is usually given off by trees and grasses.
- Take your allergy medicine as prescribed by your doctor!
- Avoid mowing lawns, or freshly mown lawns.
- Avoid raking leaves.
- Try to stay inside on days when the pollen count is especially high.
- Don’t dry your clothes and sheets outside on a line where they can collect pollen!
Visit the Weather Channel’s website to take a specific look at what’s causing allergy problems in your area.