WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – If you feel like allergy season is coming earlier and earlier each year, you’re not wrong.
Research shows allergy season has been getting longer over the past few decades. A pollen count study found that climate change could be the reason. Researchers say allergy season is starting 20 days earlier on average, and pollen concentration has increased by about 20% since the 1990s.
Sarai Smith visits Wilmington frequently to see her family. She says whenever she’s in Wilmington, her allergy symptoms get worse. Even in her home state of California, though, she says she notices her symptoms earlier and earlier each year.
“It gets worse as flowers start growing more and grass starts growing more,” Smith said. “It seems like allergy season is getting longer. I experience red eyes, puffy face, and itching around my arms and my nose.”
Dr. John Boyle is an ear, nose, and throat doctor with Wilmington Health. He says he noticed more patients earlier this year.
“March seems to be earlier than average in my experience,” Dr. Boyle said. “I think it’s been fairly standard, but maybe a little earlier time of year where there’s been more symptoms and visible changes in terms of trees pollinating than the norm.”
Dr. Boyle says you can recognize whether or not you’re dealing with an allergy or cold by the following symptoms:
| Common Cold | Allergy |
|---|---|
| Fever | Itchiness in eyes, skin, nose and throat |
| Sore throat | Watery eyes |
| Acute onset, lasts less time | Could last weeks |
If you find that you are dealing with allergies, Dr. Boyle says there are several solutions.
He recommends nasal steroid sprays like Flonase, Nasonex, and Rhinocort as well as antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra. He says eye drops can also be helpful.
“There are plenty of environmental control things people can do also,” Dr. Boyle said. “You can have air purifiers and keep your windows closed if there’s active pollen out. Focusing on pollen, maybe just staying inside if it’s going to be a windy day.”
If your symptoms are more severe, he recommends visiting an allergist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor. They can prescribe stronger medications and start conversations about allergy therapy, or immunotherapy with you if necessary.
Prescription medication is what Smith had to turn to once her allergy symptoms became so bad, she didn’t even want to go outside anymore. Now with her medication, she says it’s nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors.
“I feel really relieved that I can come outside and sit down and not have to worry about itching or scratching,” Smith said. “I get to spend time with my family and have fun.”
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