Millions of Americans across the country are noticing that their seasonal allergies are becoming more severe each year.
At his practice in Midtown, New York City, Nilesh Patel, MD, sees many patients who are frustrated by increasing symptoms that no longer respond to over-the-counter medication.
Here’s what he tells patients about the reasons for their increased summer allergy symptoms and how to manage them.
A primary reason your summer allergies feel worse is that the seasons themselves are changing. Seasons are extending across North America. Because winter now ends earlier and warm weather lasts longer, plants such as grasses and weeds have more time to release their allergens. So, rather than a brief spike in June or July, you might now be dealing with high pollen counts from May through September. This continuous exposure means your immune system has little time to rest, causing more severe swelling in your nasal passages.
In addition to the longer summer season, the sheer volume of pollen in the air is higher due to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This acts as a plant fertilizer. Elevated carbon dioxide causes plants to grow larger and produce significantly more pollen grains per flower.
The pollen itself is also becoming more potent. Proteins inside pollen grains, which trigger your allergic reactions, are stronger now than in the past. When you inhale these highly concentrated allergens, your body triggers a much more aggressive immune response. That’s why you may now experience severe congestion, sinus pressure, and headaches from triggers that only caused mild sniffing a few years ago.
Living and working in a major metropolitan area like New York City can worsen your seasonal symptoms due to the urban heat island effect. Concrete, asphalt, and brick buildings absorb and retain heat much more effectively than natural landscapes. This keeps cities warmer than surrounding rural areas, causing local urban plants to pump out pollen even earlier in the year.
Add to that that airborne particles from traffic can alter pollen's physical structure, making it easier to penetrate your respiratory system.
Dr. Patel recommends the following practical steps:
If these adjustments don't ease your discomfort, seek a professional evaluation. Dr. Patel can perform specialized testing to identify your exact triggers and create a targeted treatment plan.
For help taming your summer allergy symptoms, call Dr. Patel, MD, in Midtown, New York City, today or schedule an appointment online.
