You’re Not Imagining It: Your Allergies Really Are Worse This Year

There’s a few things you should know: first of all, allergies are on the rise for the overall population and long-term climate change is affecting allergens in our area. But this year’s intensity is mostly due to the stop-and-go end to our winter, a short-term weather fluke. Dr. Leonard Bielory, an allergist in Springfield, New Jersey, and a professor at Rutgers’ Center for Environmental Prediction, explains the difference between those long- and short-term effects. He also advises: check the actual pollen count instead of the pollen index and adjust your time spent outdoors accordingly.