For residents of the Windy City dealing with sneezing, sore throats, and itchy eyes, you're not alone—Chicago is deep into its peak allergy season. Dr. Rachna Shah, allergist and pollen counter for Loyola Medicine, confirmed with NBC 5 that we're currently in the "peak" of ragweed and weed season, though relief should be on the horizon as these weeks pass. Compounding the issue this year is an unusually high count of mold, attributed to a warm, humid summer.
Managing symptoms might feel like an uphill battle but there are steps that can, help. Dr. Shah suggests keeping windows shut, using air conditioning or a HEPA purifier, and making sure to shower after being outside to wash away any clingy pollen or mold spores. Sources of relief also come in the form of medication and over-the-counter options like steroid nasal sprays, which Dr. Shah discussed with NBC, that can reduce inflammation and ease congestion over time. Shah mentioned effective over-the-counter eye drops for itchy eye symptoms, and the availability of two antihistamine nasal sprays, these take about a week to work but can provide immediate impact for allergy sufferers.
Looking beyond Chicago, the earlier arrival of spring due to climate change is frustrating allergy sufferers across the central United States, according to CBS News. Studies referenced indicate a worrying trend: pollen seasons are beginning sooner and growing more intense, with heat being "one of the biggest drivers," said William Anderegg, associate professor at the University of Utah. Dr. Shah also noticed this, seeing tree pollen at moderate levels in the Chicago area as early as mid-February—exceptionally earlier than expected.
With pollen counts rising, allergy sufferers might want to pay attention to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's city rankings for allergy difficulty. Cities like Wichita, Virginia Beach, and Dallas are topping the charts this year for challenging living conditions if you struggle with allergies. In a newer approach to measuring exposure, scientists in the U.K. are looking at measuring levels of airborne grass allergens as opposed to just pollen particles. Dr. Elaine Fuertes, from Imperial College London, explained, "Knowing when the allergen levels themselves are going to be high can help people stay indoors when they need to, maybe take showers when they get home to rinse off some of the allergen they might have been exposed to." Though no countries currently track allergen levels due to costs and logistical challenges, there is hope that improved monitoring could refine forecasting for allergy seasons.
Understanding where pollen comes from is also crucial, it's not just trees but grasses and weeds, that are responsible for those sneezes and sniffles. Dr. Neil Parikh, an allergist and immunologist, told CBS News Sacramento that this pollen can find its way into homes, sticking to bodies, clothing, and pets. HEPA air purifiers and regular showers can significantly mitigate these effects, providing some relief during these high pollen episodes. While symptoms like nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and coughing are common during allergy seasons, fever is not typical for allergies and could signal something like a sinus infection.
