This month, a lot of my friends and family have been loading up on allergy medicine to combat the sniffles and sneezes.
Even my dog Reggie had to get an allergy shot at the vet! Why are allergies so bad this year, so early? The answer is a warmer winter and a much warmer early spring.
Spring is when we see all types of changes outside. Some of those changes include a thawing ground after winter, buds resurfacing on trees and a change many of us don’t like—an increase in allergens.
Because there is such a diverse spread of flora in New York State, there are a lot of different allergens that can bother you.
Seasonal allergens typically can be broken up into four different categories: tree, grass, weed and mold.
Early on this spring, trees such as oak, maple, birch and cedar all started producing pollen. Because our weather was so dry and warm for an extended period, pollen counts were very high.
Rain brought a relief to those who suffer from those specific tree allergens. That same rain, however, can lead to mold allergens coming out.
Mold grows and thrives in mild, damp environments. The spores released from mold can trigger a different set of allergies to those who suffer.
Both warmth and rain in the first part of spring provide the ideal environment for grass and weed pollens to develop by late spring and summer.
Obviously, it is important to talk to a doctor when symptoms occur from your allergies, but watching the weather can help you understand when your allergies may act up or worsen.
From mid-March to late September, any long stretch of dry, warm weather is a sign you should stock up on your antihistamines.
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