Allergies In Columbus: Everything To Know

Ranked one of the worst cities for spring allergies, you might be wondering if there is any way that you can get relief during the Columbus allergy season. If you live in Columbus then might already be aware that tree pollen is one of the worst triggers of your allergies. But what can you do to help yourself at this time of the year? In this article we’ll discover everything you need to know about allergies in Columbus, including which plants and trees might cause you problems and in which months of the year. Plus, we’ll explain how you can help alleviate the symptoms of your allergies.

When is Allergy Season in Columbus?

Although spring is widely regarded as the worst season for allergies in Columbus, seasonal allergies occur from February to November, with a brief respite during the month of July. Based on research by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Columbus was ranked 39 in 2022’s list of cities with the highest allergens, with a slightly higher ranking during the spring than during the fall.

Plants that Cause Allergies in Columbus (By Season)

Allergy symptoms are triggered when your body reacts to something that it identifies as being “harmful” to it. These substances are called allergens. They attach themselves to the cell receptors in your body which then trigger the immune response. You probably already know that pollen is one of the most common allergens. However, the truth is there are many different types of pollen and they can occur at different times of the year.

Spring

As we’ve already mentioned, spring is the peak allergy season in Columbus, and tree pollen is the main trigger. The exact timing of the season largely depends on the weather as after a harsh winter the trees may not pollinate until a little later — around March. However, usually the spring tree pollen season occurs from February to May. There are many types of trees that can be responsible for springtime allergies in Columbus. However, some of the most common are ash, oak, sycamore, elm, maple, mulberry, beech, and birch.

Summer

Summer — or at least between May and June — is the time for the grass pollen. There are obviously many different types of grass around, but some of the most common are timothy, orchard, rye, and Bermuda grass. However, after the stress of the spring allergy season, summer in Columbus does offer a slight reprieve. By July most trees and grasses have stopped pollinating and the plants that pollinate in the fall have not yet begun.

Fall

After the hiatus of the pollen season during July the allergens come back with a vengeance in the fall. Fall is the time when the weeds begin to pollinate. One of the main culprits is ragweed, with the onset of the ragweed season generally agreed as being August 15. However, that’s not the only one that you have to worry about during the fall, as marsh elder, Russian thistle, yellow dock, lamb’s quarter, silverling, and spiny aramanth are all prevalent too.

Winter

As much as we’d love to say that the Columbus allergy season only involves pollen, that’s sadly not true. Winter might bring about a respite from the plant pollen, but another foe takes its place — mold. That’s right, the cooler, more damp weather is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Mold spores typically begin to increase during late fall, but are mostly around in high numbers during the winter months.

How to Treat Allergies During the Columbus Allergy Season

Are you fed up of suffering from your allergies? Are you wondering if there’s anything you can do to help ease the symptoms? Well, the good news is there are a few things that you can do to make yourself feel better.

Prevention

Ok, we know that it is impossible for you to completely avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms, but there are steps that you can take. The main thing that you can do is try to stay indoors on days with particularly high pollen counts. Also, keep your doors and windows closed to keep the pollen out. You can also avoid hanging your laundry outside as pollen can stick to the fabric. Also, try to avoid doing things such as mowing the grass or weeding. However, if you do carry out these tasks then changing and washing your clothes as soon as you’re finished can help to limit your exposure. Furthermore, you can use an air purifier or a dehumidifier to try and keep your home allergen free.

Medication

If you’re still suffering with your allergies even though you’re limiting your exposure to the pollen then it might be time to consider taking the next step — medication. It’s always worth while speaking to your doctor to see what options there are for you. However, there are several over-the-counter remedies that can help to alleviate symptoms. Oral antihistamine tablets are one of the most popular choices as they can help to relieve sneezing, itching, and a runny nose.