A few months ago, I asked our readers a simple question: If we offered some service journalism that wasn’t necessarily “Jewish” but still useful, would you read it? The answer was a resounding yes.
So here we are.
Recently, I woke up congested. Took the dogs for a walk and could practically feel “stuff in the air” smacking me in the face. Then I opened Facebook and saw a wave of friends posting about allergy attacks, itchy eyes and sneezing fits.
Apparently, it’s not just me. Even a small-town New York paper is reporting on the issue and how communities across the state are grappling with an intensified allergy season, attributing the changes to climate factors and increased pollen production
It turns out that mid-May in St. Louis is prime time for seasonal allergies and if you’re feeling it too, I wanted to get you some answers. So, I reached out to someone who knows the local air better than any weather app: Dr. Lisa V. Suffian, a Jewish allergist with Allergy Consultants, board certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
I asked her five questions about allergy season and what we all should know right now:
1. What’s in the air right now and is it actually worse than usual?
“It’s tree pollen from March through mid-May, and grass pollen after that,” Suffian said. “It really may be worse this year because of global warming, which can extend every pollen season and allow more pollen to be produced. Windy, dry days tend to cause the pollen to blow around and make symptoms worse.”
2. What’s the single most effective thing someone can do today to feel better?
“Modify your exposure,” she said. “Stay inside if you’re very symptomatic. If you do go outside, shower and change your clothes when you come back in. Keep your windows closed—at home and in the car.”
3. What are people doing that unintentionally makes things worse?
“A big one is opening the windows to ‘get fresh air’—you’re just letting pollen in. Another is letting outdoor pets sleep in your bed or bedroom. The pollen gets on their fur and ends up on your pillow. And if you don’t shower after being outside, you’re inhaling that pollen all night.”
4. How do you tell the difference between allergies, a cold or COVID?
“Allergies happen at the same time every year and typically involve itchy, watery, swollen eyes and a runny or congested nose. Post-nasal drip is common. Fever and body aches? That’s likely a cold or COVID. And those can hit anytime, not just spring.”
5. And finally: What allergy myths should we all stop believing?
“‘If I move to Arizona, I won’t have allergies.’ Not true. You might dodge some allergens, but you’ll likely become allergic to others. And the local honey thing? There’s no proof it helps with seasonal allergies.”
So yes, it’s not just in your head—or your sinuses. The air is out to get you.
If the sneezing, itching or congestion won’t quit, don’t just suffer through it. Reach out to your doctor or allergist. Relief might be closer (and easier) than you think.
