A longer spring allergy season due to winter's warmer-than-average temperatures

While this winter's warmer-than-average temperatures were a nice contrast for people who suffered through to last year's many winter storms, many may now pay for the balmy temperatures with an earlier and longer spring allergy season. For some, symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, ears and throat, wheezing and shortness of breath have already begun and may last into early summer.

"The season may last longer than usual this year because the plants will bud earlier and will be robust due to sufficient precipitation," says Dr. Catherine Monteleone, an associate professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a board-certified allergist. "The severity of allergy symptoms will depend on the weather. We've had a lot of wet weather, so mold, for example, may be pretty high. Symptom severity will also depend upon how dry the weather is this spring."

Tree pollen blown around by the wind is the irritant that will cause people's first allergic reactions this season, sometimes before you see the buds, Monteleone explains. "If we end up with windy, dry days, it can be pretty bad," she says.

Allergy sufferers may continue to experience symptoms into May and June, a reaction to grass pollen, not blooming flowers, Monteleone adds.

A recent European study suggests that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are to blame for increases in pollen levels — especially in urban areas where carbon dioxide levels are highest.

The best coping strategy for allergy sufferers is to start their medications early, according to Monteleone, before symptoms become severe. "That's the big thing," Monteleone says. "Get ready now because you may want a trial period to help you determine what works best for you."

Monteleone emphasizes another key point: Avoid irritants such as tobacco smoke or strong perfumes. And during spring, "Keep windows closed, in the car and at home, and, if necessary, keep the air conditioner on," Monteleone says. "If you have to be outside, wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from pollen; do activities later in the day, because pollen is released early," she adds, "and, when you return home, shower, wash your hair and change your clothes because the pollen will stick to you."