Allergy season has officially come to the Buckeye State.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31.8% of Americans 18 or older suffer from some allergy, and 25.7% suffer from seasonal allergies.
Pollen is a common airborne allergen known to cause uncomfortable symptoms in many people, says the CDC. Plants, trees, grass and weeds often disperse higher concentrations of pollen grains during warmer months, or between February and May in Ohio, according to Blanchard Valley Health System.
Tree pollen is finer and more easily carried by wind, making it the main culprit of symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes.
So, how bad will the pollen count be as Ohioans head into Memorial Day weekend? We've broken down the allergy forecast in major cities. Here's what to expect.
The allergy forecast for Memorial Day weekend
Akron
Allergy risk levels will remain medium-high Friday through Sunday before dropping to medium risk on Monday, according to Pollen.com's five-day forecast.
The Weather Channel reports that the risk of allergy symptoms will remain high starting Friday through Monday.
Canton
Similar to Akron, Pollen.com's five-day allergy forecast predicts a medium-high levels Friday through Sunday before dropping to medium Memorial Day.
There's a high likelihood of allergy symptoms on Friday and Saturday, with the risk dropping to moderate on Sunday and Monday, according to The Weather Channel.
Cincinnati
Pollen.com's five-day allergy forecast shows medium-high risk for increased allergens Friday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, with risk dropping by Monday.
However, The Weather Channel predicts a moderate risk of allergy symptoms the entire weekend through Memorial Day on Monday.
Columbus
Allergy risk levels will reach medium-high on Friday before dropping to medium territory Saturday through Monday, according to Pollen.com's five-day forecast.
The Weather Channel, on the other hand, anticipates more irritation for allergy sufferers throughout the weekend. The likelihood of symptoms will oscillate between moderate and high from Friday through Monday, May 27.
What to expect for summer allergy season
Unfortunately, as spring changes to summer, allergy concerns don't go away; they just shift. And the summer allergy season could be a bad one this year.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert predicts an "intense and prolonged" grass pollen season for the Midwest in a report.
Peak grass pollen levels will likely occur around the Fourth of July, per the report.
Why does pollen cause allergies?
Plants, trees and grass release pollen in the spring to fertilize other plants of the same species. The powdery particles drift in the air and are easily inhaled.
In some people, inhaling pollen causes their immune systems to overreact. The immune system sees the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens. That leads to the release of histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies
The most common pollen reaction is allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever." Hay fever occurs when your immune system responds to pollen entering your body, releasing defensive chemicals that cause symptoms which could include runny nose and stuffiness, per the CDC.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the most common symptoms include:
- Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea)
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, eyes, ears and mouth
- Red and watery eyes
- Swelling around the eyes
If you already have asthma, pollen exposure may worsen your symptoms. This is called allergic asthma. If you find yourself facing additional or worsening asthma symptoms due to environmental exposure, talk to your healthcare provider.
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