This allergy season鈥檚 pollen count has broken records as well as some Oregonians鈥� Kleenex budget. And climate change means extreme sneezing and sniffling fits will likely become the norm.
Recent reports by , , and the all say global warming has accelerated plant growth and therefore the amount of allergens released into the air. Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide also have been linked to the increased production and release of pollen. A also links climate change with more severe allergies.
The more intense, extended allergy season , are now experiencing symptoms including burning, watery eyes and runny nose.
鈥淯sually allergies present earlier in life, and some people do develop allergies later, but that鈥檚 more rare, past the sixth or seventh decade of life,鈥� Alalia Berry, an allergy physician in Corvallis, told KLCC. While she said she hadn鈥檛 noticed any change in her clientele this year, she added that it鈥檚 always busy in May, June, and July with people contending with pollen-based allergies, notably grass and tree varieties.
Berry said the first remedy one can take during allergy season is avoidance. Staying indoors with sealed windows and running the AC is often the best set-up. But often people need to venture outside.
鈥淏e out early morning or in the evening during your pollen season,鈥� advised Berry, 鈥渟ince the pollen counts tend to be high in the middle of the day, (from) about 10 to 4.鈥�
Other steps include over-the-counter treatments including Flo-Nase and Claritin, as well as more extensive ones involving prescription strength medications and shots.
Things are improving. According to Oregon Allergy Associates which track daily counts across the area, Eugene鈥檚 grass pollen count (particles of pollen per cubic meter of air) was a record-setting 1301 on Tuesday, but was already below 800 on Wednesday.
That鈥檚 still rough for many, as anything over 200 is considered 鈥渧ery high.鈥�
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