Allergies? How to cope with cursed pollen

‘Allergy seasons truly are getting worse — and global warming is a major factor’

Just as the Bay Area’s weather warms up and you are desperate to head to the great outdoors after all that rain, allergy season strikes.

It usually starts with itchy and red eyes. Then you find yourself unable to get that tickle out of your throat. Soon you want to cut your nose right off your face.

Welcome to spring, known as hell for those of us with seasonal allergies. Because spring, of course, is when all sorts of plants, grasses and trees start flowering. The bad news is that we are currently in the red zone in terms of pollen count, people. With a warming trend that’s expected to peak Thursday, the forecast at Pollen.com looks positively frightful, reaching all the way to

a high of 11.2. The top of the scale? 12.

“Pollen allergy seasons truly are getting worse, and global warming is a major factor,” says Vox. “There’s evidence that the number of people with allergies is increasing, and with changes in average temperatures, pollen seasons are also getting longer.” Eek.

But you are not powerless in the face of pollen. You can take steps to protect yourself. Here is some advice on how to stop and smell the flowers without sneezing your head off. You also might want to stock up on tissues.

Be prepared

Flowers and trees bloom at different times of year. You may be vulnerable to cherry blossoms but impervious to posies. Figure out what it is that drives you to runny nose distraction so you can get ready for it. Don’t let the rain throw you off because as soon as the flowers start to pop, it’s on for many of us.

Some even suggest taking your allergy medication before the first sneeze, as the Seattle Times suggests, so you are protected from the worst of achoo season. Keep an eye on forecasts so you know not to plan a big hike amid pollen pandemonium.

Get help

Some people swear by their antihistamines while others find acupuncture or honey supplements helpful. A study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who were suffering from seasonal allergies and treated with antihistamines and acupuncture felt better and took less medication than those who just took the antihistamines. Fill your RX before the season kicks into high gear.

Sit it out

This one is hard for us sun lovers, but there are days when it just makes more sense to stay inside. Taking a break from the sun spares you from the pollen and you will save scads on sunscreen, so there’s that.