Credit: Gallup
If you’ve been sniffling and sneezing more than usual, you’re not alone. Allergies are impacting more Americans this spring than in recent years, according to Gallup data released today.
Likely caused by the unseasonable warm weather this spring, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index found more Americans are suffering from allergy symptoms this April (22.8 percent) than in April 2011 (20.8 percent) or April 2010 (21.8 percent). In fact, this year’s April numbers have already surpassed the peak of allergy season last year when 22.1 percent reported allergies in May.
The data found 19.6 percent of American reported allergies in March, closer to the rate normally seen in April and May, suggesting allergy season arrived earlier than normal.
What’s unclear, according to Gallup, is whether the allergy season will peak in April, as it did in 2010, or in May, as it did in 2009 and 2011. Allergy rates generally subside in June before escalating again in the fall.
Quick Allergy Tips:
1. Keep windows closed during pollen season, especially during the day.
2. Stay inside during mid-day and afternoon hours when pollen counts are highest.
3. Take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothing after working or playing outdoors.
4. Use a saline nasal rinse, like Alkalol Nasal Wash, twice daily during peak allergy season to flush out pollen and allergens.
