Michigan faces early and intense allergy season as pollen levels rise

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – As temperatures rise and seasons change, there’s more pollen in the air, leading to intense allergy season. Michigan residents have been battling allergies since February, which is earlier than usual.

“I have allergies. I was born with allergies,” Rachel Beatty said.

Flowers and spring weather trigger Beatty’s allergy symptoms.

“I really feel like I have dry itchy eyes, they’re actually getting a little watery right now,” Beatty said.

His dry eyes did not prevent him from pursuing his passion for working in a greenhouse. Beatty said the pollen was making her symptoms worse, and here in Michigan pollen levels were on the rise. Dr Dave Gupta said the rise in levels is due to climate change.

“You see it on your car, sometimes you wake up, you go out and it’s covered in green, yellow,” Beatty said.

Dr. Gupta said he generally recommends avoiding allergy triggers, but he knows that’s hard for Michigan residents to do.

“In Michigan, when people have been indoors all winter, they want to enjoy the outdoors,” Dr. Gupta said.

This time of year is when people spend time mowing the lawn or planting flowers, two activities that cause seasonal allergies.

“We recommend that when they want to spend time outdoors, like mowing the lawn, they wear a mask and we try to be proactive with medications,” Dr. Gupta said.

Dr. Gupta said over-the-counter medications like Claritin or Zyrtec can help with allergies. Beatty said the drugs helped her go to work without worrying about her symptoms.

“Allergies won’t stop what I love,” Beatty said.

Beatty will continue to work around the flowers and enjoy the warm weather.

In Michigan, allergy season will last well into the fall. Until then, stock up on allergy medication and nasal spray.

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