Edmonton physician Dr. Stephanie Liu, known on the internet as , had never felt any seasonal allergies until suddenly they kicked in a few years ago. Now, she begins sneezing and feeling itchy when she’s outdoors after the grass has been cut or if it’s a windy day.
Many patients are reporting that their allergies are lasting longer and that symptoms are getting worse, she said. “A lot of people have found over recent years that their seasonal allergies might be getting worse and that’s because pollen counts have been rising, in general, in recent years, which makes symptoms of seasonal allergies get worse,” she said in a phone call with Metroland Media. A number of media reports suggest pollen counts are rising with rising temperatures, which results in a longer growing season.
In the fall, the main culprit of seasonal allergies is ragweed pollen, Liu said. Places that have seen a lot of rain, such as Ontario, have the added allergy contributor of fungi spores, as fungi thrive in a damp environment. The Weather Network has a helpful allergy outlook with a that is updated daily.
There are things people can do to mitigate seasonal allergies. Firstly, try to minimize your exposure to pollen, Liu said. You can start by closing doors and windows when you’re indoors.
You should also clean and vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of pollen and dust in your home. Also, the moment you or your kids come inside, wash your hands and face to rinse away pollen. “Even better,.