Worst Allergy Season Yet?
1 in 3 Americans suffer from allergies each year (CDC). What is even more alarming, is that this number is increasing each year.
When is "allergy season?"
Honestly, "allergy season" depends on what you are allergic to and the region of the country that you live in. Various types of pollen spread throughout different times of the year. Depending on what type of allergen you have a reaction to, will determine your peak allergy season. Pollen grains can range from 9 microns to 200 microns in size, causing deep penetration into the lungs (Vox). This can cause irritation for even people who do not suffer from seasonal allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common allergic diseases include hay fever, asthma, conjunctivitis, hives, eczema, dermatitis, and sinusitis.
Will this year be even worse than last?
An article posted on Vox, written by Umair Irfan states, "Allergy season gets worse every year." They support this statement with evidence suggesting global warming is a major factor. "In general, pollen is emerging earlier in the year and the season is stretching out longer and longer" (Irfan). Essentially, this is a cycle. With more pollen, comes more seeds, which in turn results in more pollen the next year! According to the article, researches are estimating that by 2040, pollen counts will have doubled (VOX). Unfortunately, this means allergy season is anticipated to get increasingly worse each year.
