Seasonal allergies bugging you? Here's why a dry winter hasn't helped

Hay-fever sufferers around Phoenix just can’t seem to catch a break.

After sneezing and sniffling through an abundance of weeds and vegetation spurred by last year’s wet winter, they probably hoped this year's dry spell offered a silver lining. But that hasn’t been the case, at least not if the traffic at local allergy clinics is any indication.

Dr. Mark Schubert, allergist-immunologist with the Allergy Asthma Clinic in Phoenix, said it’s been as busy as usual.

“I don’t see a big difference between this spring and last year,” Schubert said. “Every spring is busy in Phoenix. I’ve been doing this close to 30 years. I’ve never seen a slow spring around here.”

Last year’s rain helped boost the amount of weed pollen in the air. But that’s only a secondary irritant in the Phoenix area.

Warm weather = more pollen

Pollen from trees is the big source of misery for local allergy sufferers at this time of year and the lack of rain doesn’t hurt as much as the warm weather helps.

Schubert said the long-term trend toward warmer weather contributes to the discomfort of allergy sufferers.

“I think our pollination season has been shown to be getting longer,” Schubert said. “Longer seasons and favorable growing temperatures – there is enough water – all of these things tend to go together to make more pollen.“

Lack of rain doesn't hurt irrigated plants

Lack of rain isn’t as much of a concern because many plants that trigger seasonal allergies, such as trees and landscaping grasses, are cultivated and watered by people.

Schubert, who is also an associate professor at the University of Arizona Medical School in Phoenix, said people's changes to the landscape will keep allergy sufferers reaching for their tissues. He said studies have shown that factors such as air pollution can add to the aggravation.

This makes the modern Phoenix area a different kind of place for allergy sufferers than the Phoenix of old where people came to get away from what was bothering them.

“When you fly in and see what it looks out of the window, it looks like an oasis in the desert,” Schubert said. “That is being maintained by mankind. That greenery is not because we have rainwater falling on Phoenix and nowhere else.”

Tips for allergy sufferers

• See an allergist to get an idea of just what you’re allergic too. Medical professionals can also prescribe medicines or allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) that can be effective.
• Over-the-counter remedies such as nasal steroid sprays (like Flonase, Rhinocort, Nasacort or generic equivalents) or antihistamines (Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec or generic equivalents) can help. Nasal rinses (like neti pots) can also provide relief.
• Making lifestyle adaptations such as keeping windows closed while indoors, changing air filters monthly or wearing a dust mask when working outside can be helpful.