As we transition from winter to spring, with melting snow, budding trees, and blooming flowers, magic is in the air. But, less fortunately for some, so is pollen. Pollen is one of the leading causes of seasonal allergies. If you often find yourself with itchy eyes and frequent sneezing upon a seasonal change, seasonal allergies could affect you.
Pollen is produced by plants to help them reproduce, which typically occurs for many plants and trees in the springtime. Spring is often the worst season for seasonal allergies in Colorado. However, some people may find themselves more affected in the summer or fall season as plants pollinate at different times of the year.
People who are allergic or sensitive to pollen may experience an allergic reaction when they are exposed to it. The immune system sees an allergen (the pollen in this case) as an intruder and goes into defense mode. The body releases a chemical called histamine to target the allergen.
Seasonal allergies from pollen are typically mellower than other types of allergic reactions and symptoms can manifest as any combination of congestion, sneezing, tickly throats, itchy eyes, and fatigue, according to Yale Medicine. People with asthma are at a greater risk to be more impacted by allergies, as pollen can trigger asthma attacks. Seasonal allergies also can run in families, so you might inherit them from relatives.
She’s not crying — just having a heartfelt reaction to spring.
The Pollen Library lists dozens of tree, weed, and grass species in Eagle County that produce allergies and are sorted by season and severity. Trees are typically the first to kick off allergy season, with a variety of species of willows and cottonwoods causing some early sneezing through May and some lasting into summer. Spring can often feel like peak allergy season, though as we progress into summer. During the summer various species of sagebrush and grasses will start causing allergies. By fall, most tree allergies will have winded down, but grasses and weeds will still be causing symptoms.
While pollen is the most commonly discussed seasonal allergen, mold spores can also cause allergies, as well as dust and pet dander in indoor spaces. If you are unsure what causes your allergies or how to mitigate symptoms, healthcare providers can usually do an allergy test to identify the culprits and recommend treatment plans.
Many people proactively combat their allergy symptoms. Some pro tips from Medline Plus include keeping windows closed on high allergy days, showering after being outside, using over the counter medications, and spending time outdoors once the sun has started to lower, as pollen levels will have dropped. Most plants release pollen during peak daylight when pollinators like bees and butterflies are active to help spread pollen, resulting in a lower concentration of pollen in the air at night time. Weather apps such as the Weather Channel now even include daily allergy risk forecasts to help users manage symptoms.
While it is great news that there are many strategies to avoid seasonal allergies, the bad news is that pollen season is projected to worsen as our climate changes. With milder winter temperatures and/or shorter winters, pollen season in some regions is starting earlier in the spring and extending later through summer and fall. A study in the Nature Communications journal even indicates that as carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere continue to increase, the pollen concentrations will increase as well.
As we enjoy our transition to warmer months, remember to take care of yourself. While enjoying the sunshine is not without challenges with pollen in the air, preventative action can make it quite possible to enjoy the wonders of spring without sniffles taking over.
Gabi Watkins is Lead Naturalist at Walking Mountains, and often finds herself sneezing her way through grassy fields performing trail work or leading hikes in the summertime.
