Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. Following this winter’s unseasonably warm weather across the country, many states have already seen early pollen blooms, accelerating the launch of allergy season and causing many to experience symptoms prematurely. According to the USA National Phenology Network (USA NPN), the spring leaf continues to spread north, arriving several weeks sooner in much of the Southeast, lower Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and New York City, all of which are experiencing the earliest spring on record.
RELATED: Allergy statistics
In a recent SingleCare survey, more than half (51%) said they’ve already experienced springtime allergies this year, with the majority (71%) noting that it’s an earlier start than usual for their allergy symptoms. The survey also revealed that despite more Americans experiencing allergy symptoms already, 56% said they haven’t begun taking allergy medications.
As the spring allergy season continues to ramp up, SingleCare surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adults to understand their behaviors related to spring allergies. Additionally, SingleCare has allergy tips from our Pharmacy Expert, Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D., to help Americans manage allergies throughout the spring.
The majority of Americans (61%) believe allergy medication costs are higher this year.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, the annual cost of nasal allergies is between $3 to $4 billion. While inflation rates have slowed down, many Americans are still feeling the effects of the rising costs of goods. According to a recent SingleCare survey, a quarter (25%) of U.S. respondents said they have experienced significantly higher prices on their allergy medications while more than a third (36%) said they’ve experienced slightly higher prices. The survey also revealed:
The majority (82%) of U.S. respondents said they experience springtime allergies
76% of U.S. adults said they take allergy medications during the spring months
Over half (56%) of U.S. adults said they're concerned about the upcoming allergy season
Over one third (33%) said they're stocking up on over-the-counter allergy medications this spring to avoid a potential shortage
How to get rid of allergies
Tips for seasonal allergy sufferers to help manage and relieve their symptoms, according to Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D., Pharmacy and Health Expert for SingleCare.
Find the right over-the-counter medication to alleviate your allergies. Each medication is designed to treat specific symptoms, so it's important to find the correct OTC medicine in order to manage and relieve your symptoms. For example, while antihistamines, like Claritin and Zyrtec may treat symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever), you may need to take a decongestant medication, like Sudafed, in order to treat congestion or headache. For medications that contain pseudoephedrine products, although they are “over the counter,” you will need to access these through the pharmacy, as federal regulations require these medications to be kept behind the counter. Also, use caution with these products as they can increase blood pressure. Another medication to help treat congestion is Afrin. Afrin is a localized nasal decongestant that can provide relief from stuffy nose, but this product must not be used longer than three days or you could experience rebound congestion. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what may be right for you.
Take your medication before you feel the effects of allergens. You can help prevent symptoms from occurring by taking your allergy medication before exposure and your symptoms begin. Steroid nasal sprays, like Flonase, can help prevent allergy symptoms when exposed to the allergen. It is best to begin the steroid nasal spray a couple weeks before the allergy season that triggers your symptoms and continue throughout the duration of the season, as it’s typically not required to use the steroid nasal spray all year long. If your over-the-counter treatments are not controlling your allergy symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider to learn if a stronger prescription medication may provide more symptom relief. To help understand the root cause of your allergy symptoms, allergy testing and allergy shots are additional options that your healthcare provider may recommend to help treat your allergies.
Consult your pharmacist for help. While over-the-counter allergy medications are safe and available for self administration, it’s best to consult your pharmacist or healthcare professional to determine if the product is right for you. This is particularly true if you have a chronic disease or take other medications as some allergy meds may interact with your current prescription. Your pharmacist is a great resource to learn more about specific interactions and treatment indications. If you have any questions related to the disease or condition itself, it's best to speak with your doctor.
Minimize bringing outdoor allergens inside your home. Springtime allergies, like pollen, are airborne outdoors. If you are spending time outside, it is best to remove shoes before coming inside and immediately change clothes. Showering will also help remove any pollen residue from the body. Pets can also drag allergens into your home so wipe them down before bringing them inside. Using air purifiers and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can help remove allergens from the indoor air. You can also minimize bringing outdoor allergens inside by vacuuming your home often and keeping the windows closed.
Check your local allergy forecast before you head out the door. Each area of the United States has different peak allergy seasons depending on where you live and what allergen elicits symptoms. Websites like pollen.com can help you stay up to date on local pollen counts and serve as guidance as to when to start allergy medications. It is best to start allergy medications, such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, when the pollen counts begin to rise but before peak season.
Try a sinus rinse. Using a sinus rinse can help flush out allergens and mucus from the nasal cavities. Allergies increase mucus production as a mechanism to clear out the allergens but excessive mucus production can accumulate in the sinus cavities, creating an ideal environment for viral and bacterial infections. Flushing out the nasal cavity can help reduce allergy symptoms and eliminate potential infections from arising. The CDC has a how-to guide to show proper technique and best practices.
Determine if symptoms are truly allergies. Allergy symptoms closely mimic symptoms of a cold or other viral infections, such as COVID-19. A couple classic symptoms may help you differentiate between the two. Allergies typically cause itching of the eyes, nose, and top of mouth, while viral infections are often accompanied by a fever. It is always best to have a healthcare provider confirm the diagnosis if you are unsure.
Eat allergy fighting foods. Along with taking medications to help your symptoms, maintaining a healthy diet can have a powerful impact on your overall health and immune system functionality. Avoiding processed and inflammatory foods can help decrease an overactive immune system. It’s important to consume fresh fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors to boost your immune system. Foods high in Vitamin C, bromelain, and quercetin, like oranges, pineapple, kale, apples, and blueberries, are a great way to start a healthy diet—and build your defenses against allergies.
Survey Methodology:
SingleCare conducted a spring allergy survey online through SurveyMonkey on Mar. 8, 2023. This survey includes 1,064 United States residents and adults ages 18+. Age and gender were census-balanced to match the U.S. population in age, gender, and U.S. region.
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