BALTIMORE — As spring blooms across Maryland, seasonal allergies affect roughly one in four adults and one in five children, bringing runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Medical experts are sharing strategies to manage symptoms, combining prevention, medication, and lifestyle adjustments to ease discomfort during high-pollen months.
Dr. Jody Tversky, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, explained that allergies occur when allergens like pollen trigger the body to release histamines, causing inflammation and symptoms. Nasal allergies, while not life-threatening, can significantly disrupt daily life. “Folks with allergies of the nose and sinus tend not to be life-threatening, which is a good thing. But they can cause lots of suffering. Headaches, poor concentration, poor sleep, inability to sleep or breathe through the nose. It’s like walking around with a constant cold or sinus infection,” Tversky said. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes that allergic rhinitis impacts 20% of the U.S. population annually.
Preventive measures can reduce exposure to allergens. UnitedHealthcare’s fact sheet recommends running air conditioners in homes and cars to filter pollen, showering before bed to remove allergens from skin and hair, and using air purifiers with HEPA filters. The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles like pollen. Keeping windows closed and washing bedding weekly in hot water also helps, per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
When prevention isn’t enough, over-the-counter (OTC) medications like antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants offer relief. Dr. Greg Carvenale, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, advised patience with these treatments. “Taking the same medication and expecting a different result, as the old saying goes, likely won’t be successful. So if it’s been a week or two of you having continued symptoms without relief of taking some of the over-the-counter medications, it’s probably time for you to see your health care professional,” he said. Persistent symptoms may require prescription options like corticosteroids or immunotherapy, available through allergists.
Carvenale also suggested avoiding outdoor activities on windy or high-pollen days, particularly between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when counts peak. The National Allergy Bureau provides daily pollen forecasts to plan outdoor time. Apps like Pollen.com offer real-time alerts for Maryland residents. For severe cases, allergy testing can identify specific triggers, guiding personalized treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Maryland’s allergy season, driven by tree pollen in spring and ragweed in late summer, varies by region. Baltimore and suburban areas see higher pollen due to urban greenery, while coastal zones may have milder seasons, per the Maryland Department of Health. With climate change extending pollen seasons—now 20 days longer than in 1990, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
