Allergies hitting you already? You're not alone

Sneezing earlier than normal? Congested? Eyes watery?

You’re not alone or imagining it.

Allergy specialists in Western Pennsylvania say allergy seasons are getting longer and intensifying.

Patients with allergy symptoms started visiting Allegheny Health Network allergist and immunologist Dr. Ali Ayyash in mid-February.

“Typically, the spring pollen season starts towards the end of March and beginning of April,” Ayyash said. “It’s almost a month earlier.”

Why are you sneezing so early?

A study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2020 revealed that pollen trends across North America from 1990 to 2018 show increases in pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The main causes: fluctuations in weather patterns such as heat waves in historically colder months and increased carbon dioxide levels in the air, which speeds up photosynthesis and causes trees and plants to germinate and pollinate earlier, Ayyash said.

PNAS’ study showed climate change has exacerbated pollen seasons over the past three decades.

In Pittsburgh, more than half the month of March had pollen levels between the yellow and red zones, which means the pollen count is anywhere between 4.9 and 12, and allergy symptoms were more severe, according to national allergy forecast tracker Pollen.com.

There are generally three types of allergy seasons: Spring is tree pollen season, summer is grass pollen season and fall is weed pollen season.

Dr. Merritt Fajt, a UPMC allergy and immunology specialist, said there are particular allergens in the Pittsburgh area that people should look out for.

“In this area, Timothy grass can be a major grass allergen,” Fajt said of the perennial taller type of grass.

Other regional pollinators during the spring include a variety of trees such as oak, elm, birch, walnut and maple. Fajt said that, against popular belief that rain washes away pollen, it can actually unearth pollen that has settled and make it airborne again.

Fajt said it can be difficult to avoid many allergens because they are carried in the wind.

Who is at risk?

A 2023 study from National Center for Health Statistics revealed that about one quarter (25.7%) of adults and nearly 1 in 5 children (18.9%) suffer from seasonal allergies.

While seasonal allergies for the most part are thought of as inconvenient or uncomfortable, they can have a hand in worsening symptoms of people who have other underlying medical conditions.

“Asthma is very affected by allergies. It can trigger your asthma. So people who have asthma just start to notice … trouble breathing, getting short of breath or winded,” Ayyash said.

Asthmatics should look out for identifiable symptoms that could mean an attack has been triggered, such as chest tightness, coughing and difficulty breathing. Eczema, a chronic skin condition, also can be antagonized by allergens and become extremely itchy and dry, he said.

Fajt said allergies can become dangerous to immunocompromised people and worsen their symptoms.

If you have uncontrolled nasal allergies, you don’t want to be at risk for getting more sinus infections or things like that,” she said.

Tackle the tickle

Matthew Hughes, 17, of Bethel Park said he is already struggling with puffy eyes and a runny nose.

“I really just take Zyrtec,” he said of the over-the-counter medication to help manage his spring allergies.

Beyond taking over-the-counter allergy medicines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, there are a few other ways to help fend off allergens from your ears, nose, eyes and throat.

Both Fajt and Ayyash suggest changing clothes after being outside for prolonged periods of time.

“For people who work outside, wear long-sleeve clothing so the pollens don’t get on your skin when you come indoors, change your clothing so that the pollens aren’t getting around your house, take a shower to get the pollens off of … your body (and) wear sunglasses when you’re outside so pollens aren’t getting in your eyes,” Ayyash said.

Pets can carry allergens on their fur — Fajt said she’ll often have patients who believe they have developed an animal allergy, only to learn their furry friend is just covered in pollen from spending time outdoors.

Allergen immunotherapy, or “allergy shots,” can provide long-term relief from allergy symptoms.

To start allergy shots, patients must first undergo testing, which will reveal the allergens they are sensitive to. Then, patients receive a small dose once a week and slowly build up the dosage until they reach a “maintenance dose,” which is the highest volume allowed. Afterward, many patients need only to receive an injection once a month for three to five years until their symptoms have diminished, according to Ayyash.

“There’s no guarantee that your symptoms will be completely gone,” Ayyash said. “Studies have shown that it’s about 90% effective. So 90% of people see an improvement in symptoms, reduced use of medication and improved quality of life.”