Allergy season in full swing, could be worse than years past

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(ABC 6 News) – With temperatures finally consistently warmer, we are going to be seeing more pollen. It is likely that pollen totals will be similar to what we’ve seen in the past few years.

With the rise in carbon dioxide levels due to warmer temperatures and ozone being trapped in our atmosphere, plants are able to pollinate more. This is causing allergy season to lengthen across the U.S. Currently, we are in a time of higher pollination.

"All that potentially adds up to worse allergy seasons in terms of length and intensity of it," Mayo Clinic Allergy and Immunology Specialist, Dr. Thanai Pongsee said.

These allergies are having an impact on people like Jessica Anderson, who owns her own landscaping company.

"Pretty much anything, my eyes are itchy and scratchy. My nose is all plugged up. I never had allergies until I was 40, so every year I feel like there is one more thing that’s been added to the list," Sweetgrass Landscape Renewal Owner, Jessica Anderson said.

Jessica takes allergy medication to help ease her symptoms.

Dr. Pongsee also offers another nasal steroid spray to help with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion.

It is recommended to consult with an allergist or your primary care doctor to see if extra steps are recommended for you.

As for the rest of the allergy season, we will likely be seeing more grass pollen than tree pollen a few months from now before ragweed pollen dominates the fall before we freeze up again.