Allergy season is ‘earlier, longer and worse’ in these US cities, report finds

(NEXSTAR) – The extra head congestion I’m feeling lately isn’t necessarily in my head, so to speak.

a New Report on Seasonal Allergies We found that the growing season was extended by an average of more than two weeks. The longer the growing season, the more days allergy sufferers suffer from runny noses, sneezing and headaches.

Climate Central, an organization of scientists and journalists focused on studying the effects of climate change and global warming, analyzed temperature data from 203 US cities since 1970.

They found that allergy season is not only getting longer, it’s also getting more intense.

The main reason is that rising temperatures have shortened the inherently frigid winters and lengthened the growing season for allergen-producing plants.

“Early spring and a longer freeze-free period means more time for plants to flower and release allergy-inducing pollen,” writes Climate Central. in that report.

Of the 203 cities analyzed, 172 (approximately 85%) had longer ice-free periods, many of them longer than a month.

According to the report, the cities with the greatest increase in allergy season since 1970 are:

1. Reno, Nevada: 99-day extension
2. Bend, Oregon: 83-day extension
3. Las Cruces, New Mexico: 72-day extension
4. Medford, Oregon: 63-day extension
5. Boise, Idaho: 52-day extension
6. Tupelo, Mississippi: 51-day extension
7. El Paso, Texas: 50-day extension
8. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: 46-day extension
9. Toledo, Ohio: 45-day extension
10. Wheeling, WV: 44-day extension
11. Missoula, Montana: 42-day extension
12. Albuquerque, New Mexico: 39-day extension
13. Concord, New Hampshire: 39-day extension
14. Eugene, Oregon: 38-day extension
15. Jefferson City, Missouri: 38-day extension

of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree that climate change may bring the health effects of allergens to more people. Exposure to pollen can lead to symptoms of hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis, and may increase asthma attacks in asthmatics.

Scientists at Climate Central found that several of the 203 cities analyzed had shortened growing seasons. Ottumwa, Iowa. Denver, Colorado. and in Waco, Texas, the growing season has been shortened by more than 15 days.