Extended allergy season in Northern Nevada due to climate change, says Carson City Public Health Officer
It’s that time of the year again, the birds are out, the bees are buzzing, and all across Carson City and our surrounding regions, citizens are sneezing. With the arrival of spring, so too comes allergy season.
According to Dr. Colleen C. Lyons, Carson City’s Public Health Officer, allergy season in Northern Nevada today generally runs from February through November, which is a longer period than in previous years.
“The increasing temperatures and extended spring/summer seasons of the Carson area due to climate change contribute to longer allergy seasons than were experienced decades ago,” said Dr. Lyons.
The pollen that is the main culprit? That depends on the time of year.
Across the country, allergies that occur in the spring, usually between late April and May, are often due to tree pollen. Allergies in the summer from late May to mid-July are often due to grass and weed pollen, while allergies that occur in fall from late August until first frost are often due to ragweed.
In Northern Nevada, some of our most potent allergy plants include the state flower, Sagebrush, Alfalfa, Cottonwoods, Birch, Juniper, Maple, Pigweed, Rabbitbrush, Russian thistle (tumbleweed), Willows, and more.
To learn more about what is causing your allergies in Northern Nevada, visit https://www.nevallergy.com/q_northern-nevada-allergenic-plants_wordpress/
The technical name for allergies is allergic rhinitis, which occurs when the body overreacts to an allergen. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is caused by an allergy to pollen or mold spores in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by other allergens such as dust mites, pet hair, or mold, which occurs year-round.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, coughing, itching around the face, runny or stuffy nose, headache, pressure in the nose and cheeks, ear fullness and popping, sore throat, watery, red or swollen eyes, trouble smelling, and in some cases, hives.
Allergic rhinitis can last longer than a cold or flu, sometimes as much as several weeks, and it does not cause fever.
Those who are suffering from allergic rhinitis can take over the counter products such as non-drowsy antihistamine pills like Zyrtec and Allegra; Benadryl is not recommended due to its sedating effects which can affect a person as much as being legally intoxicated, according to Dr. Lyons.
Nasal steroid sprays can also help with nasal and eye symptoms as well, such as Flonase.
Other options include a mass cell stabilizer such as NasalCrom and antihistamine eye drops such as Pataday, Alaway or Zaditor.
Prevention can also help during this time, which includes:
* Keeping windows closed. This is especially important during high-pollen seasons.
* Washing your hands after petting animals.
* Using dust- and mite-proof bedding and mattress covers.
* Wearing glasses outside to protect your eyes.
* Showering before bed to wash off allergens from hair and skin.
The good news about pollen season, however, is that our friends the honey bee and the butterfly can finally eat after hunkering down for winter!
To learn more about allergic rhinitis, please visit https://familydoctor.org/condition/allergic-rhinitis/#treatment