Spring represents a new start, with warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days. But for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring can bring itchy eyes and throat, runny nose, and profuse sneezing.
This spring will be particularly difficult for the 106 million Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma, with seasonal allergies caused by pollen being a major contributing factor, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
A 2021 study finds that climate change is largely responsible for lengthening North America’s pollen season by an average of 20 days from 1990 to 2018. That’s bad news for the roughly 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children in the United States who suffer from seasonal allergies.
The amount of pollen is starting to increase
It would not be wrong to think that your hay fever is getting worse. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, climate change has made pollen seasons longer and more intense, so allergy symptoms are more intense and last longer.
Pollen counts on trees, grasses, and weeds have already begun to increase in the western and southern United States.
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Areas where seasonal allergens are expected to increase
AccuWeather’s 2026 U.S. allergy forecast says warmer temperatures will bring higher levels of tree pollen, moving north from the South and the Ohio Valley, leading to an earlier, stronger season. Pollen levels are high in more than 29 states, with rapid and dramatic increases caused by early spring storms.
Effects of pollen on the body
Plants release pollen in the spring to nourish other plants of the same species. Powder-like particles are suspended in the air and are easily inhaled.
For some people, inhaling pollen can cause their immune systems to overreact. The immune system sees pollen as a threat, so it produces antibodies that target the allergen. As a result, histamine is released into the blood. Runny nose, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms are caused by histamine.
How seasonal allergies, colds, and COVID-19 symptoms compare:
US city that is the “allergy capital”
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks communities based on pollen, number of over-the-counter and prescription medications per patient, and number of board-certified allergists per patient in the 50 most populous cities in the continental United States. Ranking of cities:
The 2026 Allergy Capitals list includes more Western cities than previous years. Airborne pollen, especially from grasses and weeds, causes these changes.
How to relieve allergy symptoms
- Check the amount of pollen scattered. Before you head out, check your local news or visit the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau for the latest information.
- Treat symptoms early. Most medications work best when taken before pollen arrives. Ask your doctor when to start treatment. Some allergists recommend treatment about two weeks before symptoms typically appear.
- Use high-performance filters. If you have a forced air conditioning or heating system, they can help keep your indoor air clean by trapping pollen and other allergens.
- Please close the window. This is good advice for anyone at home or in their car to prevent pollen. Use the air conditioner to cool you down instead.
Sources Climate Central, AccuWeather, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, USA National Phenology Network, USA TODAY study
