Why this allergy season feels so bad — and what helps, according to Del. doctor

Many people across the Mid-Atlantic are enjoying warmer weather — but for allergy sufferers, the season has been tough.

Some say it’s the worst pollen season they can remember.

In northern Delaware, allergist Dr. Michael Wydila said it has “definitely been a bad year.” While he can’t say for certain that the region’s ultra-cold winter made things worse, he pointed to a broader factor driving more intense allergy seasons.

“More carbon in the air, which the plants love to do — and the plants grow larger and larger and they release more and more pollen, and so it could possibly be worse every year,” Wydila said.

At his office, the impact is clear.

“We have people that crawl out from the woodwork and come in and they’re a mess,” he said.

Wydila said allergy shots can be effective, but even over-the-counter medications work best when used early — before symptoms begin.

He recommends starting allergy medications around St. Patrick’s Day, even if trees haven’t started blooming yet.

“The most important thing is to be proactive,” he said.

There are also simple steps people can take to limit exposure to pollen. Keeping car windows closed and using the air recirculation setting can help. At home, changing air filters regularly and using apps to track local pollen levels can make a difference.

After spending time outdoors, experts suggest washing clothes right away and showering to remove pollen.

Timing matters, too. Going outside later in the day, when pollen counts tend to drop, and avoiding breezy conditions can reduce exposure.

Wearing a properly fitting mask can also help keep pollen out of the nose and mouth.

Still, Wydila said one mistake many people make is waiting too long to act.

“Most of the time what people do is they wait until their symptoms are pretty intense and then they decide to start their medicine again,” he said.

He said starting early and staying consistent with treatment is the best strategy for keeping seasonal allergies under control.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.