Botanical Sexism Its A Tree Thing
And still another contributor may be botanical sexism. People prefer to plant male trees rather than females because they create less mess from seeds and seed pods. The more male trees, the more pollen.
Knox said trees arent the only culprits. Grasses and weeds stir allergies from late spring through summer and ragweed kicks in during late summer through the fall. Flowering plants get an unfair portion of the blame. In fact, pollen from flowers the stuff that bees like is relatively heavy and sticky and not easily carried on the wind.
Rain brings at least temporary relief to sufferers, Knox said. It washes pollen out of the air.
The first freeze sends most plants into dormancy, offering Atlantans a respite of a few weeks.
Some people dont suffer allergies at all, while others are allergic to one specific tree pollen, and yet others are allergic to several kinds.
Are Allergies Worse This Year 2021
It is believed by scientists that climate change is contributing to an increase in allergic reactions. Warmer temperatures enable plants to bloom earlier and increase pollen production, resulting in more pollen being released into the atmosphere. As a result, the allergy season in 2021 might be the worst on record.
Georgia Should Brace For A Rough Allergy Season
Allergy season in the South normally peaks around September 19, with allergy symptoms at their worst during the four or five weeks before and after that date. This year, according to AccuWeather.com, September and October will bring warm and wet weather to the Southeastern U.S, which will prolong ragweed season.
Allergy sufferers in some regions of the Northeast and Midwest may get an early reprieve this year, thanks to an early freeze that is expected hit to those regions and possibly end the ragweed season as early as mid-September.
Fall allergy sufferers should be careful in the colder months when its time to shut doors and windows to keep out the wintry chill. Cold weather can also trigger asthma attacks on top of typical allergy symptoms.
The indoors present another potential allergen: dust mites. Investing in a HEPA filter and placing one in your air heating and cooling vents will help prevent flareups of indoor allergies from dust mites. HEPA filters will also help rid your home of pollen that may have settled indoors during the summer. A thorough cleaning of your vents can also help with this problem.
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What Time Of Year Do Allergies Hit
Spring allergies often begin in February and linger until the beginning of summer in many parts of the United States. Pollination of trees occurs the earliest in the year and is followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer, and ragweed pollination in the late summer and fall, respectively.
What Is The Best Vitamin To Take For Allergies
Vitamin C
Vitamin C boosts the immune system. It also acts as a natural antihistamine. According to a 2018 study on vitamin C in the treatment of allergies, oxidative stress plays a key role in allergic diseases. As vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it may act as a treatment for allergies.
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How Do You Know If You Have Seasonal Allergies Or A Cold
Allergies are infrequent causes of sore throats and general pains, though. The only discomfort you may experience as a result of allergies is a headache caused by all of the congestion. It is also possible that your throat could feel dry or scratchy. However, if youre having a sore throat or slight body pains, its more than probable that youre suffering from a terrible cold.
What Is Blooming In Georgia Causing Allergies
If you have an allergic reaction to ragweed, the pollen will connect to your IgE antibodies, causing histamine and other chemicals to be released. Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and, in asthmatics, coughing and wheezing, arise as a result of exposure to these substances.
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Besides Annoying What Are Allergies Really
An allergy occurs, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America explains, when the bodys immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. These substances are called allergens, and when encountered by the immune system of someone with allergies, they cause the production of immunoglobulin E resulting in your allergic reaction.
There are several types of allergens, including in food, pet hair, certain medicines, and even latex. But the allergic symptoms you might be experiencing as early as mid-February and even into May in Georgia are likely due to seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever:
- Runny & stuffy nose
- Itchy nose, eyes, ears and mouth
- Red, watery, and irritated eyes
According to The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology allergies may also affect your concentration and focus, and cause feelings of irritability and fatigue so they can impact your life in broader ways than simply requiring more tissues.
Can Allergies Make You Cough
Coughs associated with asthma and allergies are often brought on by swelling or irritation of the airways. Hay fever and other allergies can cause a persistent dry cough to develop. If you have allergies to dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, or other common allergens, you may have allergy symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
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North Georgia Allergy Season
North Georgia is renowned for its fall season with its colorful leaf changes and cooler temperatures. With a dense tree and vegetation population, North Georgia is also considered to be one of the leading areas in regard to allergens like pollens and molds. Most associate allergy season with the springtime tree blooms and summertime grass pollens, however, fall allergens can cause discomfort and irritation for many people.
Fall allergens are most typically characterized by weed and mold allergies. Weed allergies include the common ragweed, sheep sorrel, and pigweed. There are many types of molds in the air and they mostly originate from damp conditions under leaves and dirt and also grow on the north side of many trees here in North Georgia.
It can be difficult for individuals to be able to discern if they are having a sinus infection or an acute allergy exacerbation because the symptoms can be similar. Patients are often treated with antibiotics for sinus infection when they are actually having an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergy flare-up include sinus pain and pressure, nasal drainage, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, and even asthma flair ups.
On behalf of all of us here at ENT Specialists, we hope you have a wonderful fall season and stay healthy. Should you need help with your allergies, we would be glad to get you an appointment for an evaluation.
What Months Are Spring Allergies
Spring allergies often begin in February and linger until the beginning of summer in many parts of the United States. Pollination of trees occurs the earliest in the year and is followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer, and ragweed pollination in the late summer and fall, respectively.
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The Best Allergist In Georgia For Seasonal Allergies
If you are looking for the best doctor to treat your seasonal allergies in Georgia, look no further than Wyndly. At Wyndly, our allergy doctors will create a personalized treatment plan for your allergies to get you long-term allergy relief from your Georgia seasonal allergies.
Take our easy online assessment now to see if our doctors can get you long-term allergy relief from your seasonal allergies in Georgia!
How Can I Tell If My Symptoms Are Allergies Or Covid
Before you stress out, know that there’s one positive aspect when it comes to allergens in the year 2022: “Masks mean less inhalation of pollen through the nose or mouth, and that may translate to decreased symptoms for some sufferers,” explains Manisha Relan, MD, a board-certified allergist. Noted!
That said, if you’re worried about telling the difference between symptoms, whenever they do arise, listen up. The COVID and allergy symptoms that typically overlap are headaches, wheezing, and sore throat. It’s also possible to experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing with COVID too, though these are more commonly allergy symptoms. A dry cough, shortness of breath, and loss of smell, are all likely COVID-19 symptoms, though there’s always the possibility that these are due to allergies.
Overall, though, if you’re having trouble telling if your symptoms are allergies or COVID, your best bet is to get checked out at a doctor’s office or urgent care center.
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No Youre Not Imagining It: Seasonal Allergies Are Worse This Year
School of Medicines Fred Little on reasons for the spike and what you can do about it
Its that time of year againyoure sitting outdoors enjoying the sunshine, when all of a sudden, you start to feelitchy. Within an hour, that itch has turned into a full-blown sneeze attack complete with watery eyes and congestion, and now youre running to the nearest pharmacy to buy some Zyrtec.
Seasonal allergiesor an allergic reaction to the tree and grass pollens that float around in the spring and summer, known as allergic rhinitisaffect nearly 60 million people in the United States every year. This year, theyre particularly bad in the Northeast, which can be attributed to factors such as climate change and recent dry spells, says longtime allergist Fred Little, a Boston University School of Medicine clinical associate professor of medicine and the director of the Boston Medical Center allergy-immunology fellowship.
We spoke with Little about how allergies work and what you can do to cut down on the sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
When Should I Start Taking Allergy Meds
Theres no point in waiting until youre miserable to take allergy meds. In fact, allergists recommend you start taking meds a couple of weeks before allergy season arrives, or, at the latest, take them the moment you notice symptoms, says Dr. Parikh. Taking them early can stop an immune system freak-out before it happens, lessening the severity of symptoms, she adds. Check out the National Allergy Map to figure out when to start taking meds based on where you live.
As for which allergy meds to take, if youre seriously stuffed, start with steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase or Rhinocort, which reduce inflammation-induced stuffiness, says Dr. Keet. And if you’ve got itching, sneezing, and a runny nose too, look for non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Xyzal, or Allegra, she adds.
Just remember: While OTC allergy meds suppress symptoms, they dont cure the problem, so they may be less effective if your allergies are worsening, notes Dr. Parikh.
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When Does Allergy Season 2022 Start
Some allergens, like pollens, are seasonal. Tree pollen pops up in the spring , grass pollen arrives in the late spring , while weed pollen is most prevalent in the summer and ragweed pollen takes over from summer to fall , says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network.
But if you’re one of the unlucky few whose allergies last basically all year round, there are a few other factors to consider. First, your seasonal allergies could be combining with your body’s reactions to indoor allergens like dust mites or animal dander, notes Dr. Ogden. You may also be bringing outdoor allergens into your homeyou can actually collect pollen and grass on your shoes, on your clothes, or even in your hair.
As a result, you may continue to experience symptoms even after allergy season is officially over, all the way from February to November. So pretty much every season except winter.
And climate change means allergy season begins earlier and lasts longer, adds Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, a professor and allergist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Specifically, the season has been arriving 20 days earlier than it did in 1990, and contains at least 20 percent more pollen, the New York Times reported.
Climate Change And Allergies
The impact of climate change has become a dangerous cycle. Rising global temperatures lead to more extreme weather. Weather changes such as heat waves and droughts can lead to a lack of air flow. When the air doesnt move, pollutants react together in the heat and sun. This increases ground-level ozone.1
Ground-level ozone is a major part of urban smog. More air pollution and smog cause higher levels of carbon dioxide . This results in warmer temperatures. And the cycle continues.
This cycle results in increased pollen. This can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Rising CO2 levels lead to longer growing seasons that change flowering time and increase pollen. The length of the growing season refers to the number of days when plant growth takes place. Warmer, longer seasons increase exposure to allergens that trigger asthma and other respiratory and allergic responses.2
If we dont slow down the cycle, pollen production and air pollution will only get worse. Millions of people already have seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pollen allergies are a major cause. If this cycle continues, we may see the number of people with seasonal allergies increase.
Our Allergy Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA.
Recommended Citation
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, . . Retrieved from allergycapitals.com.
For media and related inquiries, contact .
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What Is A Ragweed Allergy
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , ragweed allergy affects roughly 10 to 20 percent of Americans. Ragweed allergy is a sensitivity to the pollen that is released from ragweed plants. It is typically triggered when ragweed pollen enters the nose and throat through inhalation of air polluted with ragweed pollen. Mild symptoms include itchy and/or puffy eyes, itchy throat, itchy nose, runny and stuffy nose and sneezing. Severe symptoms may involve chronic sinusitis, asthma attacks, headaches and impaired sleep.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
Antihistamine allergy medication can only help you manage symptoms for short-term relief. If youre looking to treat the problem at the source, you may want to look into sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops. With allergy drops, your immune system learns to ignore allergy triggers over time, using small, gradually increasing doses of your allergen. Unlike allergy shots, allergy drops are a form of immunotherapy that is painless and doesnt require a visit to the doctor.
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Allergy Season In Georgia May Be Getting Longer
According to a recent article in theAtlanta-Journal Constitution, allergy season in Georgia may be getting longer. While allergy season usually peaks in the spring, several recent doctors reports indicate that it could now span into the summer, or even longer.
Tree pollen peaked in Atlanta and northern Georgia around April, with grass and weed pollen peaking in the months that followed. According to Dr. Stanley Fineman, pollen counts were in the high to extremely high range this year, reaching 4,500 before 2018 was even half over.
The pollen count really reflects the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air over a 24-hour period, so a cubic meter is like the size of a printer box, stated Dr. Fineman. He went on to stress how warmer winters continue to negatively affect allergy-sufferers in Georgia. What were seeing, over the last 10 years, is that the seasons getting longer, partially because its getting a little warmer earlier. So were seeing a longer pollen season, and its partially because of the warmth.
Although most plant allergens in the state are native to Georgia, there has also been a trend in recent years of plants not native to the state contributing to rising pollen counts. A few years ago we saw an uptick in tree pollen, Chinese elm pollen to be specific, in the fall, which is very unusual because we usually see tree pollen in the spring, stated Fineman.
Get Seasonal Allergy Relief No Matter Where You Live
In the spring, the warm weather brings people outdoors to face one of the seasons biggest problems: tree pollen. Grass pollen follows later in spring into summer. Then in the late summer and early fall, weed pollen especially ragweed pollen can trigger symptoms just as kids are returning to school.
Take these actions to reduce your contact with pollen:
- Check pollen counts or forecasts daily and plan outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are expected to be lower.
- Keep windows closed during pollen season or peak pollen times.
- Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter and/or HEPA filtration to reduce indoor airborne allergens .
- Wear sunglasses, a mask, and a hat or other hair covering when outdoors.
- Take a shower and wash your hair before going to bed .
- Change and wash clothes after outdoor activities.
- Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.
- Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Wipe pets off with a towel before they enter your home.
- Remove your shoes before entering your home.
- Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
When cleaning inside your home, be aware that you may stir up pollen that has collected on surfaces. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®vacuums and dusting cloths help trap and contain allergens such as pollen.
There are also over-the-counter and prescription allergy treatments available to prevent or treat allergy symptoms:
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