Although there’s no cure for seasonal allergies, there are medications, including antihistamines and nasal steroids, which can provide relief and help you breathe a little easier.
As many people have noticed by now, the 2025 allergy season is in full swing! Pollen counts are rising and nationwide, allergy season is growing longer and becoming more severe, with researchers noting allergy season has progressively worsened since the 1970s.
Much of the change can be attributed to a warming climate, according to Dr. Salima Thobani, an Allergist/Immunologist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, which is based in Pasadena. “Spring is arriving earlier, and warmer temperatures stretch out the growing season giving trees, weeds and grass more time to prosper and release pollen,” she explained.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience allergies each year, making them the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.
Unfortunately for many, not only is the allergy season growing longer, but it also appears to have become a lot more intense.
There are studies looking at the impact of increased carbon dioxide on ragweed plants. It found that with more carbon dioxide in the environment, ragweed plants grew larger and produced significantly more pollen, and the pollen they were producing were more allergenic, causing severe symptoms.
“Pollen from trees, grass and ragweed are the primary allergens in Southern California and across the country, each peaking at different times throughout the year: Trees in the springtime, followed by grass pollen in the summer and ragweed in the fall,” said Dr. Thobani, who practices at Kaiser Permanente South Bay.
There are things you can do to help mitigate the challenging allergy season, according to Dr. Thobani:
- Avoid Early Mornings: Pollen levels are highest just after sunrise, so try to stay indoors during the early morning to minimize exposure.
- Keep Your Home a Sanctuary: Keep windows closed, and regularly change air filters in your home to maintain clean, pollen-free air throughout the year.
- Purchase and air purifier with HEPA filter.
- Track pollen levels daily.
- Shower and change clothes after being outside.
- Do not wear shoes in the bedroom.
- Wear sunglasses/hat.
- Consider face masks when pollen counts are high.
- Start medications: nasal sprays and antihistamines before symptoms begin during early spring – which is now.
- Keep emergency inhalers handy.
Although there’s no cure for seasonal allergies, Dr. Thobani notes there are several medications, including antihistamines and nasal steroids, which can provide relief and help you breathe a little easier. Over the counter antihistamines that can be effective include loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine.
She advised those with allergies to take their 24-hour allergy medication before going to bed to maximize the effect when they need it the most. “That’s because allergy symptoms – such as a runny nose, weepy eyes and sneezing – typically peak in the morning hours,” she explained.
If you have a history of moderate or more severe allergy symptoms, Dr. Thobani recommends that you start a steroid nasal spray and continue it through the allergy season. These medicines are available over the counter without a need for a prescription, and include fluticasone or triamcinolone.
Kaiser Permanente offers valuable information on how you can better handle your allergies.
