What to know as allergy season approaches

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – For many, the arrival of spring means blooming flowers and warmer weather.

But for the millions in our state who suffer from seasonal allergies, it often signals the start of weeks of sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses.

The lengthening days and the sun’s more direct rays are triggering the release of pollen from trees like maple, birch, and oak, some of the earliest and most potent allergy offenders in our state.

Local allergists are already reporting an uptick in patients experiencing the familiar symptoms of itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, and even aggravated asthma.

Under normal circumstances, the immune system targets harmful substances like virus’ and bacteria. For people who suffer from allergies, it mistakenly identifies, and overreacts, to harmless substances such as pollen.

“Historically, the tree pollen season in Connecticut has started mid-March, but over the last few years we’re seeing a shift that the pollen has been starting earlier. On the flip side, it’s also been lasting longer. The pollen season has been continuing throughout the summer,” said Dr. Philip Hemmers, Head of Department of Allergy & Immunology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

There is a disconnect between the perceived cold and an active pollen season that can catch many people off guard.

“The temperature doesn’t have a tremendous impact. As the season goes on we’re going to see more patients having symptoms, both new patients and old. So I think, especially next week, if it’s nice out and patients are going outside, then there’s going to be more problems,” said Dr. Hemmers. “What’s been most difficult for the pollen patients, those sufferers with pollen allergies, is the wind. On a windy day, the pollen’s going to be all over. The levels are going to be very high”

While the cold air isn’t helping much to hold off blooming, there is something that does offer significant (but very brief) relief for allergy sufferers.

“The rain will temporarily help pollen patients in that the water is going to knock down the pollen. On the days it’s raining, the levels will be very low, not that you can enjoy outdoor activity those days, but going forward it’s only going to lead to further blooming and pollen levels being higher later on,” Dr. Hemmers said.

While the next day or so might be challenging for allergy sufferers in the capital region due to the unusual combination of cold temperatures and high pollen counts, the upcoming rain offers a light at the end of the tunnel.

It is important to remember that the trees are on their own schedule dictated by sunlight. Even though you might be wearing your winter coat, if you’re experiencing allergy symptoms it is likely the early tree pollen is to blame.

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