Are your allergies worse this year? Some North Texans might have had a ‘double whammy’
North Texans suffering from itchy noses, throats and eyes this spring might be wondering: Are the pollen counts this spring worse than they were last year?
Dr. Susan Bailey, a longtime Fort Worth allergist, said the answer depends on what you’re allergic to. In North Texas, the common springtime allergens are blooming trees, like oaks and elms. If you’re allergic to tree pollen in addition to mountain cedar trees, which bloom in the winter, you might be grappling with allergens from both sources in March.
“I used to tell my patients that they could stop their allergy medicine in mid-February if they were allergic to mountain cedar,” said Bailey, of Fort Worth Allergy and Asthma Associates. “And now I typically tell them to take it through March.”
The combined effect of mountain cedar and trees that bloom in the spring, like oaks, might have caused some residents to suffer a “double whammy” of two allergy seasons at once, Bailey said. She added that while it’s not clear that this spring is any worse than previous springs, some patients might be experiencing that combination of seasons.
Pollen counts in North Texas
The pollen counts for trees started increasing around March 12 in North Texas, according to pollen levels recorded by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Every day since then, monitors have recorded “high” or “very high” levels of tree pollen.
Nationwide, North Texas is one of the worst places for people with allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked the region encompassing Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington as the second worst in the nation for allergies, based on the level of tree, grass and weed pollen; measures of over-the-counter allergy medication sales per person; and the availability of doctors specifically trained to treat people with allergies. Last year, the region had more days with “high” and “very high” levels of tree pollen than any other major metropolitan area, according to the report.
In other periods of the year, different allergens can cause symptoms. In the summer, grasses are the main producer of pollen in Texas, and in the fall, weeds are the main culprit, Bailey said.
Another reason why people with allergies in North Texas might be suffering is because of the presence of smog in combination with natural allergens. The volatile organic chemicals that are typically present in pollution and smog can act as an amplifier to patients with allergies or other respiratory issues, Bailey said.
How to prepare for — and respond to — bad allergy seasons
The best way to treat your allergies, Bailey said, is to prepare in advance of the season instead of trying to treat your symptoms after they’ve already started.
“Allergy medicines work much better as preventatives than they do to help you feel better when you’re already flared up,” Bailey said.
Patients who suffer from seasonal allergies should start taking a daily antihistamine before the season starts, Bailey said. People can also use nasal sprays for additional relief. If those tools don’t work for you, it’s probably time to see a board-certified allergist to consider prescription medications or allergy shots, Bailey said.
Other tips Bailey offered are to keep your windows and doors closed on dry, windy days. Even though those days offer the best breezes when it’s tempting to keep your doors open, those are also the days when pollen levels are highest, she said. Bailey also recommended showering and changing clothes before you go to sleep if you’ve been outside, and wiping down any pets that have been outside with a damp cloth.
Allergy seasons can vary widely from one year to the next, Bailey said. But the one general trend that does appear to be consistent, she said, is that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are contributing to longer pollen seasons.
A growing body of research indicates that climate change is causing more ozone at the ground level, hotter temperatures, and longer pollen seasons, all of which contribute to worse and longer allergy seasons.
