Different Phases Of Allergy Season
As it starts to get warmer outside, the buds of trees start to open and pollination begins. Its then a domino effect, with all sorts of nasty allergens emerging at different times during the season. Here are the various types of pollens and when they typically strikeduring the year:
- Tree pollen early spring and late spring
- Grass pollen late spring and early summer
- Moldspores summer
- Ragweed and other weeds late summer and fall
For seasonal allergy sufferers, pollen counts will soon be rising as the spring season gets ready to start. This photo shows cherry blossom trees blooming under the afternoon sun in Philadelphia on March 26, 2020. AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Allergies Asthma Cost The Us Billions
Managing allergies triggered by seasonal changes costs Americans up to $4 billion every year. And more than $80 billion is spent annually by those living with asthma in medical expenses, missed work and school days, and in extreme cases, death.
Its not just asthma research demonstrates the overall impact and quality of life in children with allergic rhinitis includes learning impairment and sleep disruption. It really has downstream effects, Oppenheimer said.
Cities like Newark are particularly vulnerable. Ragweed, a prolific pollen producer, is often among the first plants to take root in the disturbed soils of urban areas. Meanwhile, air pollution from high car and truck traffic, plus heavy industry, cause city residents to endure higher rates of asthma and respiratory diseases.
This isnt lost on Newark resident Clarke.
When you go further up in the hills, the air is much cooler, and the air is not so dense, I think its a lot better for you to breathe, Clarke said. But when its so condensed here, and theres so much people around, it kind of contributes.
This story was produced in partnership with Climate Central, a Princeton-based nonprofit, nonpartisan climate science and reporting organization.
NJ Spotlight News senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan contributed reporting. Climate Central data analyst Kaitlyn Weber contributed data reporting.
What Months Are New Jersey Allergy Season
In New Jersey, youll want to keep an eye on pollen counts in April, May, June, and September. These months are when seasonal allergies are typically at their peak. During these months, try limiting your time outdoors or going out in the evening when pollen counts tend to be lower in New Jersey.
If you have seasonal allergies and are traveling to New Jersey during April, May, June, or September, make sure you have an allergy treatment plan that works for you before your trip. During your trip, check the local pollen count daily to adjust your plans accordingly.
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We Offer Seasonal Allergies Treatment Such As Pollen Allergy Treatment
A host of indoor, year-round allergens can give similar symptoms. These include dust mites, pet dander, and molds. Your doctor at Hudson-Essex Allergy has great therapies available to relieve your allergy symptoms, regardless of the cause. Did you know you can be desensitized to your allergen? Immunotherapy has the potential to cure your seasonal and year-round allergies.
Tips For Allergy Sufferers
If you suffer from pollen allergies and youre looking for ways to ease your symptoms, here are some helpful tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and ENT And Allergy Associates, based in New Jersey and New York:
- Limit your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. This will lessen the amount of pollen allergen you inhale and reduce your symptoms.
- Keep car windows and house windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning with clean filters.
- Bathe and shampoo your hair daily before going to bed. This will remove pollen from your hair and skin and keep it off your bedding.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat when outside. This will help keep pollen out of your eyes and off your hair.
- Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Use an indoor air filter when possible.
- Change and wash the clothes you have worn during outdoor activities.
- Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not on an outdoor line.
- Wash your bed sheets, blankets and pillow covers in hot, soapy water once a week.
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Fall Allergy Forecast Shows Big Explosion Of Ragweed Pollen In Nj And Pennsylvania Region
High levels of pollen, especially ragweed, are predicted throughout the fall season in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other eastern states, according to AccuWeather forecasters.AccuWeather
Keep those tissues and eye drops handy, New Jersey allergy sufferers.
This will likely be a rough fall allergy season in our region, with high levels of ragweed, mold spores and dust mites teaming up to cause lots of runny noses, itchy eyes and scratchy throats, according to medical experts and AccuWeathers fall allergy forecast.
Allergies really happen all year round, and the fall is different than spring and summer, John Whyte, chief medical officer at WebMD, told AccuWeather. What we see in the fall are allergies to ragweed. It blooms between August and November.
Although ragweed tends to reach its highest levels in mid- to late-September, it usually lingers until cold temperatures arrive in late November or early December. And other types of irritants will also be sticking around for awhile, AccuWeather says.
Mold spores love wet spots outside, so piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold, the weather forecasting agency noted. When temperatures drop outside, people will turn the heat on for the first time in months, stirring dust mites into the air that have been sitting around all summer.
Njs Allergy Season Is Longer Harder Due To Climate Change
New Jersey allergy sufferers usually start their season in spring, with pollen from maple trees, then oaks. Grass adds to the pollen load in late spring, then ragweeds blossom in fall. The calendar of misery doesnt end until a hard freeze kills off weeds.
Researchers now find climate change is driving a pollen explosion. And allergy sufferers in New Jersey have noticed a disturbing trend the pollen starts flying sooner and harder, and it lingers longer. Analysis by Climate Central for NJ Spotlight News used growing-season data from nine communities across New Jersey to show the pollen season averages an extra 14 days statewide. In Flemington, its 28 days longer. And Newark has 10 more days of sneezing, watery eyes and trouble breathing dangerous exposure for a town where the kids asthma rate is triple the nations.
This story was produced in partnership with Climate Central, a Princeton-based nonprofit, nonpartisan climate science and reporting organization.
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When Is Allergy Season In New Jersey
Depending on what you are allergic to, you can experience allergy symptoms during any time of year in New Jersey. Pollen allergies will flare up in the spring, summer, and fall, while indoor allergies can cause allergic reactions at any point in the year.
New Jersey is in the Northeastern Mixed Forest and Mid-Atlantic Coastal allergy regions. Each region has slightly different allergens and allergy seasons, so weve compiled some region-specific information for allergy season in New Jersey.
What Else Can I Do To Prepare For Allergy Season
Even if you’re already taking OTC allergy meds, you may still experience symptoms. So, what then?
Luckily, there are a few other solutions. First, Dr. Ogden recommends consulting with a board-certified allergist who can discover *exactly* what’s causing problems for you. “You need to take proactive steps,” she saysand the easiest way to cut down on symptoms is to find out what’s causing them, so you can avoid them.
Once you know what the culprit is, don’t exercise outside or sleep with your windows open. Both may be tempting once the weather gets warmer, but “you have to isolate yourself from your allergens,” Dr. Ogden says, so embrace the indoors to reduce the chance of having a reaction.
And try to remove allergens once you get home: Take nighttime showers, make sure to shampoo your hair, and wash your face to make sure nothing’s stuck to your eyelashes. “You just want to remove pollen residue,” Dr. Ogden explains. For extra protection, consider investing in an air purifier for your bedroom.
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The downside? Allergy shots are a bit of a time commitment. You’ll need to get them once a week for six to eight months, then once a month for a minimum of two years, says Dr. Parikh. You need to be a little bit patient too, because it can take about six months to start feeling better. So, if you want protection by March, you’ll probably have to start in September the year before.
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Preparing For Allergy Season In New Jersey
Pet dander and dust mites are the usual suspects circulating in your homes air. While they can be smelly, irritating, or downright unpleasant, they dont hold a candle to the greatest of all enemies: allergy season in New Jersey.
Now that the weather is warming up and mother nature is stretching out her arms, we need to be prepared for seasonal allergy symptoms. Pollen is going to start falling from the sky like its raining, so get your immune system prepared before allergy season in New Jersey starts.
Pollen Could Double By 2100 Study Finds
A doctoral candidate, Zhang co-authored a 2022 study with atmospheric scientist Allison Steiner that found that total pollen across the U.S. could double by 2100 if pollution emissions remain high.
One reason is because theres a lot more plant species there, which will have more overlap in their pollen seasons and increased total pollination, Zhang said.
Zhangs research indicates that the changes will lead to more prevalent allergies that will affect populations not currently dealing with them.
About 30% of the worlds population is impacted by seasonal allergies, and the economic impact from conditions like these include both health care costs and absences from work and school. This figure will rise as temperatures and carbon dioxide levels increase worldwide and exacerbate those health conditions.
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What Should You Do
Minimizing the eye symptoms of allergies is consistent with other allergy symptoms. Keep your home clean and free of clutter. Take allergy medicine often nasal allergy medication will have a positive effect on the eyes as well. If necessary, Marano Eye Care can provide a personal treatment plan to provide relief from your symptoms.
Want more advice? Check out our previous article on spring allergy solutions.
Understanding Eye Allergies In New Jersey
Allergy symptoms for the eyes are also known as allergic conjunctivitis. Like all physical symptoms, for allergies in New Jersey and elsewhere, the eyes experience a misfiring of the immune system. The body is overreacting to what should otherwise be benign substance.
When your eyes experience an allergic reaction, the blood vessels in your eyes swell, causing redness, tearing, and itching. Other symptoms can include swollen eyelids, burning sensations, and sensitivity to light.
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When Is New Jersey Allergy Season
New Jerseys allergy season isnt unique by any means. As with most U.S. states on the East Coast, winters can get pretty cold, which provides some relief from outdoor allergies. Typically, spring allergies will start in mid to late February, and allergy season will end in late fall, after the first hard freeze.
Staying Ahead Of The Allergies
So keeping your air systems clean is the preventative step you can take to help yourself and your family out during allergy season, but what can you do to be proactive? Well, thankfully, there are a few measures we can take to keep your chest clear and your eyes open no matter what type of allergies you and your family have.
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Resource Center: Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy seasons will vary based on where you live. In the Northeast of the United States the pollen seasons are as follows:
Tree Allergies: From March through MayGrass Allergies: From April Through OctoberWeed Allergies: From June Through October
Recent weather changes have caused some deviations in this schedule.
Preventing allergic reactions
There are many ways that you can adjust your daily life to better treat a seasonal allergy. Many of these are easy to build into your routine and structure. Allergies can be frustrating, but are treatable with medication and taking precautions to limit exposure to allergens.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends a number of tips to prevent allergic outbreaks during any allergy season.
1.) Make sure that you are doing a thorough seasonal cleaning of your home. Clean your entire home, even air conditioning vents. These collect dust and can grow mold spores while they are shut down which can trigger allergy symptoms. Adding air filters to these vents can help as well.
2.) The pollen count are usually highest in the morning, between 5 am and 10 am. If you can postpone doing outdoor events or activities until later in the day it will help to manage your symptoms.
3.) There are a number of ways to identify your local pollen count. You can do this daily to be aware of your likelihood of symptom outbreaks. You can also use This link to Pollen.com for your New Jersey-specific pollen count.
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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Get Ready For Grass Pollen
The first thing you need to do before spring gets here and your eyes start to water is your spring cleaning! That means cleaning your air ducts and air filters in your home. Your ducts and vents are always building up with dust and other particles, and allergy season in New Jersey will only make it worse. So make sure that your vents and air ducts are clean before your watery eyes keep you from being able to see them.
Seasonal Allergies: A Month
Do you experience allergies year-round? Or, do your allergies seem
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What Are The Worst Months For Allergies In Nj Your Guide To Finding Relief
The flowering trees are gorgeous but the tree pollen counts combined with windy days makes for some seriously miserable allergy symptoms. Pass the tissue, please! Here in New Jersey, weve already started into the allergy season month and many residents have been feeling the effects for weeksand its more than just a sneeze and itchy eyes. In fact, 55 percent of employees report calling in sick to work because of their allergies.
Who Are New Jersey Allergy Doctors
In New Jersey, there are several different types of providers you can go to for your allergies. The most common types of allergy doctors are allergists or immunologists, and ENTs. When choosing an allergy doctor, the most important thing is choosing a provider you trust.
It is also important to work with a doctor who will consider both your test results and your allergy history to make sure they make sense together. You should also consider how long you will need to wait to be seen by them and how convenient it is for your schedule.
At Wyndly, our allergy doctors will work with you to get you long-term relief from your symptoms. Our doctors will create a personalized treatment plan for you based on your allergy test results and your allergy history.
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