The recent spring thaw teaser brought on high hopes—and some unwelcome nuisances and reminders.
Over the weekend, parts of the Northeast and Midwest warmed up enough for hiking, yard work, and other outdoor enjoyment. A Cleveland Clinic allergist says many who partook might be paying the price of indulgence with some tough symptoms this week.
In fact, a spokesperson for Zyrtec told us one in four people experience seasonal allergies—so much that the brand has partnered with the PGA, given that a reported 85% of golfers say they’re impacted by allergies during golf season. Also, with the changing climate, more Americans are experiencing seasonal allergies—and, over a longer period—than used to be the norm.
Says Sandra Hong, MD, a doctor specializing in allergy treatment at the Cleveland Clinic, some of the most common allergens that creep up with the change of seasons are pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander. Folks who can be most prone are those with asthma, eczema, or a family history of allergies. (Skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis can be problematic if airborne allergens enter broken skin—this can trigger a greater immune response, leading to more severe symptoms.)
“If they start to notice that, gosh, every single year about the same time that they start feeling pretty miserable with the itching, sneezing, stuffiness, drainage,” Dr. Hong says, “I would actually have them consider seeing an allergist during that period of time. If someone is getting frequent sinus infections or they’re having troubles with coughing or wheezing, absolutely that can be someone who’s developed an allergy, and they’re starting to get symptoms from that.”
And if you suddenly find yourself suffering in a surprising way, Dr. Hong says it is possible to develop new allergies as an adult, saying there’s “no single cause for this” but symptoms can occur after something “as simple as moving to a new place or trying a new food.”
Despite the nuisance of seasonal allergies, getting outside and enjoying fresh air, sunlight, and activity can be truly good for your health—in fact, a new study found that bird-watching may help preserve memory.
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