Ah, the beauty of springtime. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming, but for the 25.7% of adults in the US who suffer during allergy season, it’s hard to appreciate pretty much anything when your eyes are itchy, your nose is clogged with congestion, and your throat feels scratchy and dry.
In fact, allergies can make you downright miserable, and unfortunately it’s only getting worse. According to research from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, climate change and warming temperatures have increased pollen, mold, and other spores over the past several decades. That means seasonal allergens are thriving for longer and producing at faster rates than ever before (which explains why you might be experiencing more symptoms than you did in the past).
If that’s not enough to make you sick of allergy season, women are also disproportionately affected by allergens and can experience more severe symptoms than men. According to Advanced Allergy and Asthma Care, estrogen hormones boost histamine levels, worsening such conditions as congestion, sinus pressure, and inflammation.
At Glamour, our staff is full of allergy sufferers determined to make this time of year a little bit less miserable. Armed with tissues and our favorite over-the-counter medications, we took a deep dive into all things allergy. From understanding how it affects our bodies to identifying changes you can make in your home, office, and daily routine, we’re getting rid of the guesswork so you can find relief in the best and easiest ways this season. Plus, we look to the future with new products and formulations by Wizard Wellness founder Lorne Lucree, who is placing allergy care right at the center of beauty and wellness, and answer all your burning allergy questions on Glamour’s Instagram account with allergist and immunologist Farah Khan, MD.
In the coming week we’ll be sharing all our findings from top allergists, immunologists, and experts who gave us their recommendations and tips. The consensus? Allergies look different on all of us and there are many potential causes, which can be frustrating if you’re not informed. We hope our guide helps demystify this complex condition so you can live your best life this spring and beyond.
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