Gesundheit! Columbus' fall allergy season ramps up
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If you're feeling run down lately, a plant — not an illness — may be to blame.
Why it matters: Climate change is making Columbus' allergy seasons longer and more intense. This fall is a prime example.
Driving the news: It's not unusual for weed pollen to spike this time of year, causing fatigue, itchy eyes, sneezing and scratchy throats.
- But a stretch of hot days without enough rain to wash pollen grains out of the air is creating a "perfect storm" prolonging severe symptoms, OhioHealth allergy specialist Donald McNeil tells Axios.
What they're saying: "There are obvious times when many people are having more symptoms than usual, and this is one of those times," says McNeil, who's been in the practice for 40 years.
By the numbers: The amount of pollen in local air has been high 17 of the last 30 days, according to Pollen.com. Ragweed is the top allergen.
- Counts have trended slightly downward over the past week, but as of yesterday, they were still predicted to be medium-high or medium through Sunday.
Relief is coming. Fall allergy season typically tapers when frost arrives in late October or early November.
Pro tips: Newer antihistamines like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec offer relief without the drowsiness associated with older antihistamines like Benadryl. They can be combined with nasal steroid sprays like Flonase, McNeil suggests.
- Several days of continuous therapy may be necessary to curb symptoms.
- Closing windows in the morning and showering before bed can reduce exposure.
- Sign up for local pollen alerts.
The big picture: Worsening allergy seasons are a concern nationwide. NOAA researchers are developing a new pollen forecasting model, the first of its kind for a federal agency.
💠Alissa's thought bubble: I woke up three weeks ago achy and exhausted with a sandpaper feeling in my throat.
- I've never had fall allergies before, but I'm guessing it's not a coincidence that this coincided with the local ragweed pollen spike.
- Luckily, a daily dose of Zyrtec has kept my symptoms at bay.