Happy Spring Pollen Season! Get out the nasal steroids...or ???

An integrative approach to seasonal allergies, updating traditional (and new) treatments and outlining alternative therapies to help blend the best of both. Chime in with your own formula!

[Deep dive posts like this, often with information paywalled elsewhere but gifted here, are released first for paid subscribers, then several days later for free subscribers.]

If you’ve ever moved to a new region of the country, you know different pollens hit different places at different times. I’ve lived in four states and done consulting work in 48, and I found I could often outrun my seasonal allergies…but eventually, you can run, but you can’t hide.

At least a quarter of us suffer from seasonal allergies, with itchy, watery eyes, a scratchy throat, serial sneezing attacks, and a nose that can embarrassingly suddenly faucet drip if we dare to bend over. Climate change is causing warmer temperatures earlier in the year and longer growing seasons, so pollen exposure is now lasting longer and intensifying. But for some areas, the changes are even more noticeable—and for one region, there may be cause to celebrate.

The Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America issued their “Allergy Capitals” report, summarizing three factors:

• Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores throughout the year.

• Over the counter (OTC) allergy medicine use.

• Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists, assumed to be happily settled in these areas for a reason.

AAFA also include common symptoms and a great guide breaking down Western medicine approaches, and an article from The Washington Post added even more info with a terrific map and graphics. [Click article below for full map and legend.] Finally, we’ve also added integrative medicine approaches (often called “alternative medicine”) as well with tips on where to find more.