Environmental allergies are usually caused by plants like trees, weeds, and grass that thrive with sunshine, warm temps, and water. When they’re at their peak, they release pollen into the air, and when it’s breathed in, symptoms kick in.
When pollen enters your system, some bodies interpret it as harmful and respond by releasing histamine into the bloodstream. This histamine boost can cause itching, sneezing, watery eyes, congestion, and other typical allergic rhinitis symptoms.
You may think that a drought would mean less symptoms, but that’s not the case. If the plants are most fertile in damp conditions, why can a drought aggravate your allergy symptoms?
Pollen circulation
Fresh rain can lessen symptoms temporarily because it makes the pollen stick where it is – it stops the circulation. Once it starts to dry out, that’s when the pollen starts to loosen up, gets blown in the wind, and makes it easy to inhale. When there’s a drought, there is ample time for pollen to circulate.
Increased wind
When you add in increased winds alongside a drought, it can cause even more symptoms. The wind causes almost constant movement of pollen, so exposure can last even longer.
On top of your usual allergens, pollen can travel hundreds of miles in these dry conditions, so you may even be exposed to allergens you’re not used to in your regular environment.
Higher temperatures can cause more pollen
Higher temperatures, without the relief of rain, can cause stress to the plants, and that stress makes them release even more pollen. This is often when you see the highest pollen counts of the season, and an added drought can only mean more symptoms.
Lower air quality
Air quality is lower when there’s a drought because of the allergens and other particles floating around. Dust can be a big problem after an extended drought.
In many areas, droughts can lead to wildfires because of the extreme conditions. This can certainly lead to lower air quality and exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms for many.
Beating allergies year-round
No matter the weather patterns or time of year – allergies are everywhere – and you don’t have to suffer through itching, sneezing and congestion year after year.
If you’re constantly covering your symptoms with antihistamines and other symptom relievers, it may be time to treat the cause of your allergies with allergy drop immunotherapy. Allergy drops contain tiny amounts of the allergens you’re allergic to, and over time, the concentration of the allergens is slowly and safely increased. The body learns to tolerate more and more of the allergens, so that when exposed in the wild, you don’t react.
This treatment promotes “life-long learning,” so you can keep reduced, or eliminated, symptoms long after you’re done taking treatment. Find a provider near you to get started with allergy testing and treatment following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol.
