Buzz
This allergy season is absolutely dreadful, isn’t it? I’ve been sneezing non-stop these past few weeks, and from what I hear, half the people I know in New York are struggling with itchy eyes and practically living in their neti pots. But is it really worse than usual this year, or am I just being overly dramatic? I reached out to Sujan Patel, an assistant professor of allergy and immunology at New York University, to get his take on whether this season is actually more intense than normal and to find out what we can do about it.
The verdict: It’s pretty awful.
“They are particularly severe this year,” Patel explained. “A major reason allergy seasons have been getting progressively worse is due to global warming and the rising levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which boost plant fertility. As a result, plants release more pollen earlier in the season. Add a mild winter, some springtime precipitation, and a series of unusually warm temperature spikes, and it’s a perfect storm that kicks the plants into action.” He pauses. “All of these factors contribute to making allergy sufferers miserable.”
So, what can we do to alleviate the symptoms? Patel shares his standard advice for those battling allergies.
1. Identify what’s triggering your allergies.
“The first step is to figure out what you’re allergic to. Dust mites or cockroaches, for instance, can make your spring allergies worse,” Patel advises. If you're struggling, it’s a good idea to consult an allergist,” he suggests.
2. Keep your windows shut.
I know, it’s spring, and the weather is beautiful – you want to enjoy the fresh air. But here’s the thing: keep your windows closed, especially at night. “It’s in the early morning when the trees start releasing their pollen, and that can enter your home. So, I recommend using the air conditioner or a fan instead, as they come with filters that help keep the pollen out,” Patel explains.
3. Take a shower before going to bed.
And don’t forget to wash your hair, Patel recommends. “This way, you won’t be bringing all that pollen into bed with you and rubbing your face in it all night long.”
4. Start your medications two months ahead.
Allergy medications are most effective when you begin taking them before your symptoms show up, and continue using them consistently throughout the season. Keep an eye on an online pollen tracker starting in March or April, and begin your medication routine before the symptoms hit full force. “This way, you won’t be hit as hard when the trees are fully in bloom,” says Patel.
5. But which medications should you take?
“The first line of defense is the newer antihistamines,” Patel advises. (He no longer recommends the older, drowsy antihistamines like Benadryl.) When it comes to the new over-the-counter antihistamines, you have four main options: cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin). If you're dealing with nasal congestion, Patel suggests choosing one with a D next to its name, and some patients may need to combine the tablets with a nasal steroid like Flonase, Nasacort, or Rhinocort.
6. Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Instead, press a cool compress to your eyes. Scratching only releases more histamine and pushes the pollen deeper into your tissues.
7. Change your HVAC filters twice a year.
“Air purifiers and similar devices aren’t effective,” Patel says. “I don’t recommend them to patients. The key is to regularly change the air filter on your furnace or air conditioner.”
8. Goggles.
My morning jog now feels more like an uncomfortable shuffle as I struggle with my watering eyes. I asked Patel about wearing large glasses or goggles to block out the pollen, and he mentioned that some of his patients have had success with eye protection. “It may look a bit odd, but wearing goggles can really help keep pollen out of your eyes. Allergy eye drops, like ketotifen, can also provide relief,” he says.
9. Shots.
The only true solution for seasonal allergies is a series of injections. It takes three to five years of regular shots for allergy symptoms to completely disappear, though many patients start feeling some relief after two to six months.
So, what’s the outlook? Will humanity wipe itself out in a mass of sneezes a century from now? Does Dr. Patel see things improving? He answers, “Honestly, I don’t think it’s going to get better. In fact, I believe things will only worsen because many environmental regulations are being rolled back.”
Pollution exacerbates seasonal allergies: “Polluted cities actually create ‘superallergens.’ For example, diesel exhaust particles can amplify the strength of an allergen.” As a result, the same amount of pollen can be much more intense in New York City than in Omaha. Poor New Yorkers, lucky Nebraskans. When the planet warms up by twenty degrees and turns into a world of lush plants and mild-mannered sneezers, I hope they make room for us city folks.
