Why Spring Allergies Feel Worse Every Year

Spring allergy symptoms can feel worse each year, and many Colorado Springs residents notice symptoms starting earlier, lasting longer, or responding less to over-the-counter medication. Warmer weather, longer growing seasons, shifting weather patterns, and increased pollen exposure can all play a role. For people with asthma, chronic sinus problems, or recurring nasal inflammation, spring allergies may also make breathing and sinus symptoms harder to manage. According to the CDC, climate change can affect the onset, duration, and severity of seasonal allergy symptoms.

Resource: cdc.gov

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Why Are My Spring Allergies Getting Worse?

Trees, grass, mold, and other outdoor allergens are among the most common triggers of hay fever. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly reacts to a substance in the environment. For some, this can cause irritation and congestion in the nose, eyes, or airways, as well as breathing difficulty. The severity of spring allergy symptoms has grown significantly and may be worse from year to year. The following factors explain the change:

Longer Pollen Seasons

The earlier it gets warm, the earlier spring starts for trees and plants in Colorado. This means that pollen is released earlier in the spring. If the pollen season starts early and lasts longer, there’s a greater chance your body will be exposed than in years past. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, higher temperatures and carbon dioxide levels may cause the spring pollen season to begin earlier, leading to earlier pollination. Pollinators like pollen from trees are the leading cause of the spring hay fever season in the U.S.

Higher Pollen Counts

Pollen season starts earlier, lasts longer, and may expose patients to higher pollen counts. Some plants may produce more pollen under certain environmental conditions, increasing exposure to airborne allergens, especially on dry, windy days. This could make spring hay fever symptoms much worse and persist longer for the average allergy patient. Their symptoms may not feel like they affect only a day or two.

Resource: mayoclinic.org

Colorado Springs Weather Can Affect Symptom Severity

Colorado Springs weather can change rapidly, and the region also experiences dry air, wind, and extreme temperature fluctuations. All of these can irritate your throat and nose before you even have to think about the pollen. Wind can transport pollen great distances. Dry air can be irritating to your sinuses and throat. Temperature fluctuations can aggravate nasal congestion, postnasal drip, and sinus pressure. If you live in Colorado Springs, these conditions can make spring allergies feel worse.

Allergies Can Impact the Sinuses

Seasonal allergies can lead to sneezing and a runny nose. They can trigger nasal inflammation leading to sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches, facial pain, and drainage. In some cases, allergy-related sinus inflammation can prevent normal drainage and cause chronic symptoms. According to Colorado ENT & Allergy, treating underlying allergies and inflammation in some patients can help improve sinus health.

Allergies vs. Sinus Symptoms

It’s difficult to differentiate seasonal allergic rhinitis, acute sinus infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, or a combination of the two. Symptoms associated with seasonal allergies include: Sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, scratchy throat, cough, and fatigue.

In contrast, symptoms of a sinus infection may include:

• Facial pressure, thick nasal drainage
• Diminished sense of smell
• Headache
• Tooth pain or jaw pain
• Prolonged sinus congestion

If your symptoms persist for weeks, occur frequently, and do not improve with medications, it may be time to consult your physician for allergy and sinus treatment.

Why is My Over-the-counter Allergy Medication Not Working?

Many people turn to over-the-counter allergy medications, including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and oral decongestants, to treat seasonal allergy symptoms in the spring. For some patients, allergy medications can help reduce and control seasonal allergy symptoms, but may not fully relieve symptoms when pollen counts are especially high or when seasonal allergy exacerbates sinus infections and sinus inflammation. Sometimes allergy medications may seem less effective because the trigger has changed. You may believe you are allergic to only one type of pollen, but you may actually be reacting to grass, mold, dust mites, or other types of seasonal allergies. An allergy test may help identify which environmental allergens are responsible for the symptoms.

How Can an Allergy Test Help?

Allergy testing may help you identify the specific allergen triggers that are causing your symptoms. The results can help guide the allergist in choosing an appropriate treatment based on the patient’s allergen sensitivity, symptom presentation, and medical history. Colorado ENT & Allergy offers allergy and asthma testing and treatment in Colorado Springs to help treat patients with seasonal allergy symptoms.

Is Immunotherapy Effective for Spring Allergy Symptom Relief?

For patients who have persistent, difficult-to-treat seasonal allergy symptoms, immunotherapy may be an option to help manage allergies. Allergy immunotherapy is an effective treatment for reducing allergic reactions by desensitizing the immune system to seasonal allergens. Colorado ENT & Allergy states that immunotherapy can help your body learn to tolerate exposure to substances that may trigger an allergic reaction, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. It may be an appropriate option for patients who:

• Have seasonal allergy symptoms in the spring
• Need to use allergy medication regularly
• Experience allergy symptoms that interfere with sleep
• Have recurring cases of sinus inflammation
• Have allergy-associated asthma symptoms
• Are looking for a longer-term allergy treatment option

These recommendations may help reduce exposure to common seasonal allergens, although they may not be sufficient for patients with more moderate to severe allergy and sinus symptoms.

Tips for Managing Spring Allergy Symptoms

Patients with seasonal allergies can take a few preventative steps to reduce allergen exposures during spring.

• Monitor local pollen counts and stay indoors for long periods when pollen counts are high
• Keep your home windows and doors closed when the pollen count is particularly high
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outside
• Use a HEPA filter or high-quality air purifier to filter the air inside your home
• Use a saline rinse for sinus symptoms if recommended by your physician
• Stay indoors if the pollen count is high during the spring months, and avoid activities like lawn mowing, yard work, or any gardening tasks outdoors.
• Take your allergy medication as directed to minimize allergy symptoms, rather than taking medication when your seasonal allergies have already become unmanageable

While these recommendations may help prevent exposure to common seasonal allergens, they may not be sufficient for patients with more moderate to severe allergy and sinus symptoms.

When to See an Allergist or ENT

If you are experiencing recurring seasonal allergy symptoms that are worsening and beginning to impact your daily routine, it may be time to speak with an allergy or ear, nose, and throat specialist in Colorado Springs. You should also consider consulting an allergy specialist if your sinus symptoms persist, including sinus pain and sinus pressure, if you have repeated infections of the sinus, if you experience shortness of breath or other breathing issues, or if your spring allergy symptoms are not being managed by over-the-counter allergy medications. An allergy specialist or physician can help identify whether your symptoms may be seasonal or related to allergies, sinus inflammation and sinus infections, asthma, or other conditions.

Final Thoughts

It may seem like seasonal allergy symptoms are worsening each year. Allergy experts state that spring pollen seasons are continuing to grow longer, pollen levels may be increasing, and local weather and environmental factors may be increasing irritation of patients’ nasal passages. In Colorado Springs, seasonal allergy symptoms may result in poor sleep, breathing issues, sinus pressure, and congestion, and can affect quality of life and daily activities. Contact Colorado ENT & Allergy for consultation.