Trending Now - Allergy Season Arrives Early: Tips for Managing Symptoms
WHO:
The Guardian - Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, adjunct professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.
The Guardian - Dr. Arveen Bhasin, allergist-immunologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Guardian - Dr. Payel Gupta, spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and medical director for allergy and immunology at Tono Health.
Earth.com - Dr. Lin Meng at Vanderbilt University.
WHAT:
The Guardian - Allergy seasons in North America are now 20 days longer than they were in 1990.
The Guardian - About 26% of adults in the US and UK have seasonal allergies, while approximately 19% of children in the US and 10-15% of children in the UK are affected.
Earth.com - In areas with artificial light at night (ALAN), 27% of pollen season days met the severe cutoff for allergy symptoms, compared to 17% in areas with dark nights.
Earth.com - The study used records from 2012-2023 from 12 Northeastern stations to analyze pollen counts and night brightness.
WHERE:
The Guardian - United States and United Kingdom.
Earth.com - Northeastern cities in the United States.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The current year is 2026.
Earth.com - The study analyzed data from 2012 to 2023.
WHY:
The Guardian - Warmer, shorter winters lead to longer growing seasons for plants, resulting in earlier pollen release.
Earth.com - Artificial light at night delays the end of pollen season, prolonging allergen exposure.
HOW:
The Guardian - Over-the-counter medications for managing allergy symptoms include decongestants, antihistamine pills, nasal sprays, and eye drops.
The Guardian - To maximize efficacy, nasal sprays should be used consistently for 10-14 days.
Earth.com - The study documented the correlation between outdoor night lighting and delayed pollen activity.
(UPDATED April 4, 2026 03:49 UTC)
Allergy seasons in North America have now extended by 20 days since 1990, affecting about 26% of adults and 19% of children in the US, with similar figures in the UK. A recent study analyzed pollen counts and night brightness from 2012 to 2023 in Northeastern cities, revealing that areas with artificial light at night experienced a higher percentage of severe allergy days compared to darker regions. Experts recommend using over-the-counter medications like decongestants and nasal sprays consistently for 10 to 14 days to effectively manage allergy symptoms.