Midwest faces longer, severe allergy season ahead

Spring has come earlier than usual this year in many parts of the United States. In the Midwest, it arrived about two weeks ahead of time. The mid-Atlantic and northeast regions saw spring start more than a week early. In the West, spring can vary in timing, with some areas like California and Arizona experiencing spring up to two weeks earlier. This early arrival of spring means trees and flowers are blooming sooner. While this is beautiful for many, it poses a challenge for people with allergies. The Climate Prediction Center expects warmer temperatures in the southern and eastern U.S., leading to higher pollen levels. About 25% of adults and 20% of children in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies. A recent study revealed noticeable increases in allergy rankings in several Californian cities. Heavy rains last year led to more grass and weed pollen, making allergies worse. Notably, New Orleans moved from 34th to 2nd place in allergy severity. As spring progresses, pollen counts are rising across the nation. Pollen is released by plants and can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. When inhaled, the immune system may mistakenly identify it as a threat. This can lead to symptoms like runny noses and itchy eyes. To alleviate symptoms, people can minimize pollen exposure and identify their allergy triggers. Taking these steps may help lessen the discomfort of allergy season.