Mar 13, 2012; 2:05 PM ET
With heavy snowfall and frigid winters replaced by mild
temperatures this year, many allergy sufferers have had no break from
traditionally seasonal allergies. The mild winter paired with a
seemingly early spring has forced sufferers to keep tissues on hand
year-round -- an irritating problem that may worsen in the upcoming
weeks.
Pollen, one of the most common allergens, may be especially
problematic this year as warm temperatures can allow plants to pollinate
sooner.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA),
though 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies,
approximately 40 million of these cases have indoor/outdoor allergies as
their primary allergy.
"The most common indoor/outdoor allergy triggers are: tree, grass and
weed pollen; mold spores; dust mite and cockroach allergen; and, cat,
dog and rodent dander," the AAFA cites.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
(AAAAI), trees such as birch, cedar, cottonwood and pine are big allergy
triggers and generally pollinate in the spring.
With early March bringing temperatures as high as the 70s to parts of
the U.S., it's possible that these trees will pollinate weeks sooner,
lengthening this year's allergy season.
Pollen counts for these allergens are already spiking across the
U.S., with nearly half of the country facing moderate to high pollen
levels.
Pine tree photo by photos.com
However, does this mean it will be a particularly bad year for allergy sufferers?
"According to a report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America at the National Wildlife Federation, earlier springs could
potentially cause more pollen exposure for many people, prolonging the
problem," Mike Tringale, Vice President of External Affairs at the AAFA
said.
"In addition, increases of CO2 pollution in certain cities may
promote more active pollen production by plants making pollen
concentrations even higher."
But the early spring allergies aren't necessarily an indicator that summer and fall will be worse than usual.
"Pollination from season to season has always been an overlapping
condition for most of the U.S., as pollination doesn't have a clear-cut
start or end date: spring blends into summer, which blends in to fall,
etc.," Tringale said.
"However, overall, pollen concentrations in the U.S. have increased
year-to-year during the last decade, with no expectation for a decline
this year."
But those allergic to seasonal allergens, such as grass and weeds,
have a bit more time before symptoms kick into high gear. Grass usually
releases its pollen in the late summer months and weed-induced allergies
often strike in the fall.
Despite the potentially early onset of any allergy, there are ways to
reduce symptoms. The AAAAI recommends limiting outdoor activities on
days with high pollen counts, keeping windows shut in the home and car
to reduce pollen exposure and to shower after coming indoors, as pollen
in hair and on skin could
irritate allergy sufferers long after they've
come inside.
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