Spring is upon us, and if you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer and feel like the pollen seasons are getting longer and longer each year, you may be right.
In Delaware, signs of allergy season are happening two weeks earlier this year, according to local environmental experts, and could last longer than usual.
This year’s arrival of spring is a result of a trend of mild conditions last month, said Dr. Michael Wydila, a longtime doctor at Allergy Associates in New Castle County. The state’s allergy season typically starts in mid-to-late March, he said.
“It’s related to climate change,” Wydila said. “We averaged 50 degrees through February, which is unusual, and we already have trees opening and releasing their pollen. … Once we see warmer days we’ll see significant amounts of the pollen.”
Wydila’s viewpoint lines up with what Mike Holleran has seen as assistant district manager of The Davey Tree Expert Company, a tree care service located in Wilmington. He explained that many tree species and plants are “ahead of schedule,” with many blooming now or getting ready to bloom.
“I think we’re going to see an earlier onset of the spring allergies,” Holleran said. “We’ve had a relatively mild winter with above-normal temperatures earlier than we should, and it sort of tricks trees and plants into blooming sooner than they should.”
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To help prepare Delawareans for the new season, Dr. Wydila and Holleran shared these tips on how to get ahead of your spring allergies.
Close all your windows
To limit pollen exposure during allergy season, Wydila said, keep windows and doors shut inside your home or vehicle.
Prepare now and take medicine
Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Wydila recommends various preventive methods, such as over-the-counter medications like Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin.
Allergy shots are a more long-term effort that are most effective every three to five years, he added.
Seek help in identifying trigger trees
You can always call a certified arborist to inspect trees near your home or neighborhood that most often cause allergies, Holleran said. Maple, oks and pines are some of the biggest producers of pollen in the state, he added.
Check up on those with asthma
Remember to keep an eye on family members or friends who have asthma because they are the most vulnerable to spring allergies, Wydila said.
“Allergy season can make asthma worst and some people have more attacks in the spring due to the pollen,” Wydila said.
Visit an allergist to determine allergens
Wydila recommends that residents visit an allergist so they can diagnose and treat your symptoms. This doctor can determine your triggers so that you know what to avoid, how to avoid them and how best to treat a reaction, he said.
Check your local weather
Make sure to keep an eye on your local pollen forecast for days when pollen levels are either high or low before going outside and getting some Vitamin D, Holleran said.
Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.
