‘Allergy season’ is getting worse. Here’s why — and what you can do

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Health experts say allergy season is getting more intense for an estimated one in four adults in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies.

Dr. Andrew Rorie with Nebraska Medicine said, “Not only are allergy seasons becoming longer, but we’re also seeing an increased pollen burden during those seasons as well.”

Rorie said, historically, allergy season ran from March to October. Now, it starts in February and runs well into the fall. “It doesn’t seem like our patients get a lot of relief anymore,” Rorie said.

Rorie believes the changes are due in part to climate change.

“Some of it is due to increasing co2, some of it is due to warmer climates. There is certainly some data that some of this pollen is probably a bit more allergenic due to pollution and increased levels of ozone,” he said.

Rorie said the Midwest gets hit hard.

“We have lots of tree pollen, grass pollen, so we get hit with it all,” he said.

Rorie said an easy way to get relief is by keeping windows on your house and car closed, so an outside problem doesn’t become an inside problem. Oral and nasal antihistamines and sinus rinses can help. For those who need extra help, newer FDA approved at-home treatments are available.

“If patients are allergic to primarily grass pollen, or primarily rag weed, or dust mites, there’s oral immunotherapy options that those patients can do at home,” Rorie said.

Doctors say people with allergies may want to stay inside in the morning and on windy days when pollen counts are highest.

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