RALEIGH, N.C. — As cooler temperatures set in, many Raleigh residents are feeling the unwelcome effects of fall allergies, which experts say are getting worse due to human-caused climate change.
Local college students Daphne Bargeman and Elizabeth Condall went on a bike ride at Lake Johnson on Monday, but allergies cut their outing short.
Other WRAL Top Stories
“I am so congested, have a weird cough going on, and biking just made it worse. I kind of have a wheeze now,” said Bargeman, who also has asthma. “It’s fall, and I feel like the allergy season should be done by now. It's crazy.”
Condall, who moved to Raleigh from Connecticut, noticed her symptoms intensify since relocating. “When I moved here, my allergies got super bad,” she said. “I go through bouts where it feels like I have a cold… I cough so hard that my back hurts and my eyes water all day.”
Why fall allergies are worsening
The primary culprit in the fall is ragweed, a plant that releases pollen well into November.
Dr. Robert Bardon, an associate dean at NC State’s College of Natural Resources, explains that human-caused climate change is extending the growing season, which results in prolonged and intensified pollen release.
“Warmer temperatures linked to fossil fuel pollution are causing longer growing seasons, allowing plants like ragweed to produce pollen for a longer time,” said Bardon. “Here in North Carolina, we have a lot of biodiversity — from pine and hardwood forests to grasses — so the mix of allergens is substantial.”
Urban heat islands, where densely built city environments trap heat, exacerbate the situation. These areas experience higher temperatures, which allow ragweed to grow longer, causing an extended allergy season for residents of cities like Raleigh.
The science behind the symptoms
Dr. Bardon points out that ragweed pollen is lightweight and can travel long distances in the wind, spreading allergens across the region. “Every year, it seems like the summer is warmer than the last, and that’s the effect of climate change,” he noted. “This means our fall growing season is getting longer, leading to more pollen in the atmosphere.”
In addition to ragweed, the decaying leaves from fall can also contribute to allergy symptoms, stirring up mold spores that irritate the sinuses.
Coping with fall allergies
Dr. Edwin Kim, an allergist with UNC Health, says the allergens have become “more potent” in addition to longer-lasting allergy seasons.
The doctor noted some people, in turn, may find traditional allergy medicines don’t offer the same level of relief over time.
“I can’t always explain it, but if the patient’s body is telling them it’s not working, then it’s not working,” said Kim. “When it comes to the tablets, sometimes we’ll have our patients rotate through them. Even with the nose sprays, sometimes just a different formulation does the trick for those patients.”
Kim said tweaking allergy medicine or over-the-counter brands is typically the first recommended step for those struggling to find relief.
“Across the board, the nose sprays are probably going to be the strongest medicines. The problem with them is they work so slowly that for a lot of folks, they just can’t wait. By the time they’re reaching for that medicine, they’re absolutely miserable,” said Kim.
Kim shared tablets work faster but provide better relief for itching symptoms than congestion.
Dr. Kim advises allergy sufferers to start taking medications early before symptoms become severe.
Practical tips for managing allergies
Dr. Kim said his first advice is to start reaching for allergy medicine before symptoms worsen.
Some other tips that may help reduce allergy symptoms include:
- Keep windows closed: Limit exposure to outdoor pollen, especially on windy days.
- Shower and change clothes: After spending time outside, washing up can help remove pollen from your skin and hair.
- Use HEPA filters: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce indoor allergens like pollen and mold spores.
- Consider switching medications: If your usual remedies aren’t working, try alternating brands or switching from tablets to nasal sprays for better relief.
Dr. Kim recommends asking your doctor about allergy shots or other longer-term solutions in more severe cases.
Looking ahead
With warming trends expected to continue, Dr. Bardon warns that pollen seasons may only get longer. For Raleigh residents like Daphne Bargeman and Elizabeth Condall, it’s a concerning outlook.
“The earth is dying. This isn’t right. Why am I still sneezing? Why am I still getting bitten by mosquitoes?” Condall said. “It’s anxiety-inducing and discouraging.”
Despite feeling overwhelmed, Bargeman remains determined to take action. “It feels like you’re too small to make a difference when you think about big oil companies and their impact on climate change,” she said. “But we have to try.”