If your allergies feel worse than usual this spring, it’s because it probably is. Across New York City, residents are reporting intensified symptoms. These include itchy eyes and sneezing fits. Some residents even experience asthma flare-ups that are lasting longer than in past years. Scientists say this isn’t just your imagination. According to environmental health experts, this allergy season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent history, and the reasons why tell a bigger story about how climate, urban development, and public health intersect.

 Climate Change Is Stretching Allergy Season Longer Than Ever

Over the last few decades, researchers have documented a clear connection between rising global temperatures and longer allergy seasons. Since 1970, the number of freeze-free days in the Northeast U.S. has increased by 17 days—effectively extending the growing season for trees and grasses that release pollen into the air.

This year, NYC-area allergy sufferers are facing the consequences. Pollen counts in Westchester County hit over 7,600 grains per cubic meter, according to local allergists, well above the typical seasonal threshold that causes symptoms for those with hay fever.

What’s fueling this surge? Carbon dioxide (CO₂), the same greenhouse gas responsible for warming the planet, supercharges plant growth, especially in pollen-producing species. Trees like birch, oak, and maple are among the most allergenic, and they thrive in NYC’s urban environment. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), not only is the season starting earlier and lasting longer — it’s also getting more potent due to these CO₂ fertilization effects.

“Pollen seasons are longer. Pollen concentrations are higher. And more people are being sensitized to allergens,” says Dr. Stanley Fineman, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)

Urban Living Intensifies the Impact — Especially in NYC

Living in a concrete metropolis doesn’t shield you from pollen. In fact, urban areas like NYC often make allergy symptoms worse.

• Urban heat islands are pockets of the city where temperatures are significantly warmer than nearby rural or suburban areas, due to heat absorbed by asphalt and buildings. These elevated temperatures contribute to longer plant growing seasons and increased allergen production.
• Pollution worsens symptoms. Diesel exhaust and other particulates can bind to pollen, creating an even more inflammatory compound when inhaled—making allergies not only more likely but also more severe.

Another surprising factor? “Botanical sexism.” In cities across the U.S., including NYC, urban planners have historically planted male trees over female ones. Why? Because male trees are easier to maintain and don’t drop messy fruits or seeds. But male trees release pollen, while female trees absorb it. The result? More airborne pollen, and nowhere for it to go.

“It’s like designing a sneeze machine,” says horticulturist Tom Ogren, who developed the OPALS scale—a system that ranks plants by their allergy potential.

Unfortunately, many commonly planted NYC street trees like London planetrees and red oaks rank high on the OPALS scale.

Who are Most at Risk?

Children and marginalized communities are most at risk for several allergies to pollen. It is important to remember that some people get stuffy noses and itchy eyes during this season. However, others can experience a more intense reaction.

For children, especially those with developing respiratory systems, high pollen seasons are more than uncomfortable—they can be dangerous. This year, parents are reporting that allergy symptoms are beginning earlier and lingering into the summer—disrupting school attendance, sleep, and overall well-being.

Studies show that Black and Hispanic children in NYC experience asthma hospitalizations at rates up to 5 times higher than their white peers. These same communities are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality, limited access to green space, and under-resourced health services.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself (And Your Lungs)

Allergy symptoms may be unavoidable, but there are ways to limit your exposure and get some relief:

Be Prepared:

• Track local pollen forecasts using Pollen.com or the National Allergy Bureau.
• Start allergy medications (like antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids) before peak pollen levels hit.

Control Your Indoor Environment:

• Keep windows closed and use HEPA filters in your AC or air purifiers.
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors.
• Clean floors regularly to remove pollen tracked in on shoes or pets.

️ Consider Medical Support:

• If your allergies are moderate to severe, talk to an allergist about immunotherapy, which helps desensitize your immune system to allergens over time.
• Asthma patients should update their asthma action plans and ensure inhalers are on hand during high-pollen days.

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Climate Solutions Are Allergy Solutions

Seasonal allergies aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a climate-driven health issue. And the data backs it up.

A review published in Current Allergy and Asthma Reports shows that pollen monitoring has evolved significantly since the 1990s, with clear evidence linking warming trends to longer and more intense allergy seasons across the Northern Hemisphere.

In fact, in a 2021 study of 172 U.S. cities, researchers found that 83% experienced longer growing seasons—and more than half of those cities, including New York, saw them extend by two weeks or more.

Fighting climate change—by reducing emissions, planting diverse vegetation, improving urban planning, and investing in green spaces—also fights the root causes of worsening allergies.

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… So what’s next?

So, if you feel like you’re sneezing more, wheezing more, or dealing with symptoms earlier and longer than ever before, it’s not just you. It’s New York’s evolving allergy season—shaped by a hotter planet, a densely built environment, and decades of landscaping decisions.

Managing your allergies starts with awareness and personal action. But solving the allergy crisis long-term requires addressing climate justice, urban health, and environmental equity—because a more breathable future is possible, for all New Yorkers.