It's allergy season in Michigan: What to know about causes, symptoms in spring
It's spring in Michigan, and the state's trees and flowers are bursting into blooms thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures this year.
The thermometer is already climbing into the 70s. That's about 20 degrees warmer than the average for this time of year, according to National Weather Service data.
To many, it’s a beautiful time of the year leading into the summer months. But for others, it’s a living nightmare.
Seasonal allergies mean a stuffed nose and watery eyes amongst other symptoms. It can cause a serious headache, and the impacts of climate change are only making it worse.
When is allergy season in Michigan?
Sean Sullivan, a family nurse practitioner for more than five years at the MinuteClinic located in Ann Arbor on State Street, said he started to see an influx of spring allergy patients in the past week.
“Typically, it’s common starting right about now. Whenever you start seeing the pollen levels rising, which they are, that’s when we start seeing the allergies," Sullivan said.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Center of Rochester, allergies caused by tree pollen most frequently happen between late March and June. Allergies occurring in the summer months from late June to September are often caused by grass pollen.
Mild winter makes Rochester one of the worst cities for allergies in the U.S.
How does climate change impact seasonal allergies?
Kathleen Slonager, nurse and executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, said to the Detroit Free Press that climate change is worsening allergy season because it's starting earlier and ending later, affecting more people.
"More people will begin to show allergy symptoms when they never had them in the past," Slonager said. "It's the immune system, right? You can only take so much. Anecdotally, more people are talking about how their allergies are worse."
Dr. Kathleen Dass, an allergist and medical director of the Michigan Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center in Oak Park, said allergies in spring 2021 were some of the worst she had seen and expects it to happen again.
What causes seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies are typically caused by pollen, a substance created by different types of trees, grasses and weeds.
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine stated tree pollen from birch, maple, oak and elm trees is extremely common in the spring, as well as from grass that sheds pollen in late spring.
While harmless, pollen can cause allergy symptoms when the body mistakes the substance for something dangerous and tries to fight it off.
Mold spores also contribute to seasonal allergies. It can also become a year-round allergy for those living in high-moisture environments.
What are symptoms of seasonal allergies?
Sullivan said it's often difficult to identify spring allergies as the metro Detroit area is currently wrapping up the cold season.
“Right now, it’s a little bit tricky because we’re getting out of that typical upper respiratory cold season," he said. "There’s a lot of overlap where people think they might have a cold or something but really, it’s the beginning of allergies.”
Sullivan said common symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, runny nose and itchy eyes, nose, or mouth.
How can allergy symptoms be prevented?
According to Mayo Clinic, they recommend limiting exposure to allergy triggers, keeping indoor air clean, trying over-the-counter medications, and taking extra precautions when pollen counts are high.
Many steps can be taken to limit exposure to allergy triggers. This includes staying indoors on dry and windy days when pollen levels are high, avoiding outdoor chores like mowing the lawn and gardening, removing clothes worn outside upon entering the home and showering, and drying clothing items inside rather than outdoors.
Furthermore, the air inside a home can be kept clean by closing windows and doors and using air conditioning. The air conditioner should use high-efficiency filters and have regular maintenance checks.
There are plenty of nonprescription medications to ease allergy symptoms such as oral antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays including Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin and Flonase.
Sullivan also recommended similar treatment options with a focus on nasal steroids and antihistamines.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Seasonal allergies in Michigan: Causes, symptoms in spring
