This Year is the Worst Missouri Allergy Season, Easily

Gentle Reader, I cannot tell you how many mornings I have woken up, begun my daily routine of mongrel feeding and whatnot, and immediately hated my lot in life.  Sounds dramatic.   And of course it is, but I'm sure you understand my frustration with Missouri seasonal allergies.

It's just frustrating to be trying to brush your teeth while your nose is running.  Or attempting to feed a cat while you're sneezing.  Or having to stop one leg in putting your pants on because your itchy nose demands to be scratched yesterday.

I've always had  Spring, Summer and Fall seasonal allergies, but it seems like this year is worse for those of us afflicted.  But... is it really? I decided to find out.

When Is Missouri's Allergy Season?

Well, it's pretty much now.  But to be more specific, there are three allergy seasons in Missouri, according to a study by the Asthma and Allergy Association of America.

In the Fall, it's usually Weed season.  No, don't call Snoop Dogg.  Missouri weed allergies are most commonly  from  marsh elder (whatever THAT is), ragweed, thistle and pigweed.   In the Summer, it's Grass season.  No, Willie Nelson is not involved. That means you're probably reacting to ryegrass, timothy, Bermuda, bent, fescue, and orchard grass.  Now, in Spring, it's Tree Season.  And no, Taylor's Publicist is not involved. That's more like oak, hickory, ash, walnut, cedar, elm, cottonwood, and maple trees.

Guess what I have in my front yard.  Two giant oak trees.  And I'm not the only one.  There are all sorts of big, old trees all throughout Sedalia.  They're everywhere, all over Missouri. So I'm sure you're also being affected.

Okay, But Why Is it Worse This Year?

There are a few factors, but one of the big ones is climate change. According to the American Lung Association, since the weather year round is warmer, this means allergies start earlier:

The ground thaws earlier in the spring, so this allows trees to grow and pollen to be introduced earlier in the year......What this all contributes to is a lengthening of the pollen allergy season.

Another factor is the weather itself, which as you recall, is different from climate.

Of course, we here in Missouri have been having a very wet and stormy Spring.  And yes, that weather does play a factor in allergy season.

The leading theory is that cold air downdrafts that occur during thunderstorm weather systems generate strong cross winds that blow at ground level, whipping up pollen grains and fungal spores from grass and plants....These then get carried high into the storm system by updrafts, where moisture in the clouds causes them to swell and break apart into smaller fragments, massively increasing the number of allergen particles in the air.

 

So What Can I Do?

While it's quite frustrating and you can feel hopeless, there are some things you can do.  Of course you can try medication (I've tried them all, with varying success).  But one thing you  might do is avoid being outside early in the morning.  I know that seems wrong for those of you who want to get work done, but it's a thing. St Louis Allergy Relief points out that peak pollen times in Missouri are early, between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  So if you can, avoid being out too early this time of year.

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Another thing you might try is being a little extra vigilant with your cleaning. Wyndly points out that dusting, bathing often (pollen easily sticks to your hair and skin), keeping up with your laundry (sticks to clothes, too), and pulling weeds outside will help stop the spread. Oh, and they also recommend taking your shoes off as soon as you get home, so you're not tracking anything around the house.

What are some of your ways to deal with seasonal allergies?

Snottingly yours,
Behka