By Michael Goodman, MD
Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians | Allergy and Immunology
It’s not just “in your head”….Ohio, central Ohio in particular, really is rough for allergy sufferers. There are good reasons why that’s the case. First, Ohio has many pollen-producing plants, including trees, grasses, and weeds (e.g., ragweed). The more plants there are, the more pollen there is. Also, mold loves Ohio. The hot, humid summers and the fact that central Ohio sits in a river basin make it a great environment for mold growth. Unfortunately, our urban environment doesn’t do us any favors either. Urban environments tend to have higher temperatures and increased CO2 levels. These two factors can supercharge plants like ragweed, making them much more allergenic than their rural counterparts. Also, the higher temperatures can lengthen pollen seasons, causing you to suffer for longer.
Due to industrial emissions, transportation, shipping, and other factors, central Ohio can experience significant air pollution issues. Air pollution, PM2.5 pollution in particular, has a wide variety of effects that exacerbate allergies. Research suggests it may increase the development of allergies, intensify your reactions to allergens once sensitized, and contribute to airway inflammation in other ways that further exacerbate your symptoms.
Keeping an eye on both allergen and air quality reports can help you navigate central Ohio’s tough allergy and air quality issues. Many weather apps have sections that provide up-to-date information on these factors. Avoiding spending time outside on high-pollen and poor-air-quality days is a good place to start in controlling your symptoms.