Yes, Your Allergies Are Extra Bad This Year—Here's Why and 7 Mistakes That May Be Making Them Worse

If you feel like your sniffling and sneezing more than ever, you’re not alone. “Every year, allergy season gets worse and worse as the temperatures rise,” says Christopher Codispoti, MD, PhD, an associate professor of allergy and immunology at UTHealth Houston. 

As the winters become warmer and frost season shortens, trees, grasses, and other plants can grow for longer and produce more pollen. One study spanning nearly two decades found that the amount of pollen across North America jumped by 21 percent—and allergy season lasted more than 20 days longer. To make matters worse, today’s pollen grains contain more allergens, making them more potent, says Jeff Demain, MD, a clinical professor at the University of Washington and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

The result: You may feel more miserable than usual. Allergy meds can help but chances are you’re making some missteps in your home and garden that are exacerbating your allergies. Find out if any of these common mistakes sound familiar—and what you can do to get relief.

Mistake 1: Letting Your Grass Grow Too Tall

Grass grows more quickly in the warmer months; Don’t wait until it's up to your ankles to mow the lawn. No matter what type of grass you have, taller grass blades are more likely to release pollen. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends keeping your grass cut to around 2 inches high or less.

Mistake 2: Doing Yard Work or Gardening In the Morning

You may want to head outside first thing to beat the heat, but if you have bad allergies, you may want to reconsider your timing, Plants release pollen late at night and early in the morning, so pollen counts are higher in the a.m., and usually reach their peak around 10 a.m., says Demain. He suggests tackling outdoor tasks in the afternoon or early evening.

Mistake 3: Wearing the Clothes That You Gardened in The Rest Of The Day

After tidying up the lawn, trimming bushes or weeding the garden, you're beat and want to head to the living room with a cold glass of water. But hold on: Making a beeline for the couch or kitchen after you've done yard work or gardened can track pollen throughout your home. “Wear a gardening apron, or change your clothes in the mudroom when you come inside,” says Demain. If you can, take a shower to rinse off the pollen and other allergens.

Mistake 4: Keeping the Windows Open

Yes, that summer breeze does feel fine, but it also carries in plenty of pollen. Check the pollen count and air quality in your area online; try your local news website, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or the Weather Channel. On days when the pollen count is high, keep windows and doors closed and run the air conditioner, advises Codispoti. (And make sure you clean the air conditioner regularly so it doesn't become a source of dust and mold itself!)

For even more relief, run an air purifier with a HEPA filter. These filters trap smaller particles, such as pollen. According to one review of research, they may remove as much as 73 percent of allergens from the air of one room. It's also a good idea to vacuum regularly; consider a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which can help too.

Mistake 5: Cuddling Up with Pets Right After They Come Inside

It's tempting to give your furry family members a big hug hello as they bound into the door after being outside, but all that fur attracts pollen and other airborne allergens (not to mention if they've given themselves a good back rub in the grass or roamed in the woods). That means dogs and cats can bring in a big dose of pollen every time they come in from the outdoors. After they romp outside, wipe pets down with damp towel or special pet allergy wipes to remove as much debris as you can. And vacuum with a vacuum made specifically to pick up pet hair as often as you can. (Even daily isn't too much.)

Mistake 6: Leaving Out Grass Clippings

Grasses and weeds are major allergens, and when you're mowing the lawn the clippings and all the pollen and other allergens they carry are flying everywhere. So you want to minimize your exposure. First, consider wearing a bandana or mask while you're mowing the lawn so you don't inhale the allergens, says Codispoti. Then, contain the clippings: Use a mower with a built-in bag to catch them or bag the clippings as soon as possible.

Mistake 7: Heading Outside After a Thunderstorm

It's beautiful to be outside in the calm after the storm—and the rain can wash away pollen from porches. But you might want to reconsider: The humidity and winds of a thunderstorm can break down pollen and mold into smaller fragments that become airborne and are inhaled easily, says Demain. While a light rain shouldn't impact your allergies, wait a few hours after a thunderstorm before heading outside. And one last tip: Don't wait until pollen season to take your allergy medication. One of the most common treatments, steroid nasal sprays, take two to four weeks to reach their maximum benefit, says Codispoti. Antihistamines kick in after around 30 to 60 minutes, so take those medicines a little before you head into the garden or yard.