Spring Allergies:
History, Myth and Jokes at Your Expense
Key Takeaways
- Allergies are an Economic Drain: Seasonal allergies affect over 25% of U.S. adults and cost companies an average of $1,040 per employee annually in lost productivity and “presenteeism.”
- Proactive Protection: Allergy medications are most effective when taken before symptoms start—think of them as a protective shield rather than a rescue sword.
- Tree Pollen is the Real Culprit: Contrary to popular belief, colorful flowers rarely cause hay fever because their pollen is carried by insects; wind-blown tree pollen is the primary trigger.
- You Won’t Outgrow Your Meds: You don’t build a “tolerance” to allergy medication. If your meds stop working, it’s likely because your exposure has increased or your allergies have naturally worsened.
- Long-Term Solutions Exist: If daily pills fail, Immunotherapy (shots or under-the-tongue tablets) can help your body build a natural tolerance to allergens over time.
- Extended Seasons: Due to climate change, pollen seasons are becoming longer and more intense, making early preparation more important than ever.
Allergies Suck!
Or more accurately, they blow.
Literally. If you’re sneezing and sniffling this spring, you’re not alone.
And, while you’re wiping your nose, know this: a study by the National Center of Biotechnology Information discovered that seasonal allergies cost American companies an average of $593 per employee in terms of the productivity lost due to diminished work or absence. Adjusted for inflation in 2026, that burden has climbed to over $1,040 per employee annually due to ‘presenteeism’ (working while feeling unwell) and absence.
And here’s two more stats for you:
- Americans use upwards of 255,360,000,000 disposable facial tissues per year.
- In the UK, 2,500 accidents a week are blamed on nasal issues such as sneezing, blowing your nose and hunting for that Kleenex box under the seat.
So, it’s fairly accurate to say that allergies play a large role in our lives and environment.
As someone that has been plagued by this for most of my adult life, I want to give you some good information about allergies, as well as dispel a few myths along the way.
Seasonal Allergies Defined
When a person breathes in an allergen, the body’s immune system releases antibodies called IgEs (Immunoglobulin E.) These antibodies travel to cells that release inflammatory chemicals, among them histamines, which causes an allergic reaction.
- Nasal stuffiness (Congestion), sneezing, runny nose
- Itchy nose, eyes, and throat
- Red or watery eyes
- Sinus pressure and headaches
- Increase in mucus production
- Sore throat (specifically from postnasal drip)
- Coughing and trouble breathing
Allergies Throughout History
In the 10th century, the physician Rhazes put forth the first accurate description of the problem in his seminal piece, “A Dissertation on the Cause of the Coryza which occurs in the spring when the Roses give forth their Scent.” It wasn’t a big hit on Amazon due to its long title, but it coined the term, “Rose Fever.”
Myths About Allergies
Myth Number One: Allergy medication should only be taken during an allergy attack
Think of allergy medication as a shield, protecting you from damage, rather than the sword meant to cut through the problem.
Myth Number Two: Flowers cause the majority of allergic breakouts
Because the truth is that flowers aren’t the cause of your allergies.
You see, it’s because the pollen those flowers produce isn’t passed around by the wind. It’s carried by bees and other insects. If you need to blame a plant, blame trees. Tree pollen is most commonly spread through the air and up your unwitting nose.
Myth Number Three: You can build up a tolerance to certain allergy medications
While this is one of the most prevalent beliefs, the truth is that people don’t develop a tolerance to the drug, but rather their exposure to the allergen has increased or their allergies have gotten
Do You Have Any Good News? (Sniffle..)
Allergists (doctors that specialize in sneezing), have started recommending the use of immunotherapy (aka “allergy shots.”). You’ll be injected with small doses of the very allergen you’re allergic to. While you may have heard about this for food allergies it also works with airborne allergens such as grass, tree, or weed pollen. Immunotherapy treatments can take years to work, the idea is that repeated injections allow the body to build up a tolerance to a specific allergen.
What If I Don’t Like Needles?
This works on the same principle as the above injections, but instead you place a pill containing a small amount of the allergen under your tongue where it dissolves and enters your system.
This method is much easier to administer and could therefore be more effective when taken consistently over a period of time.
Of course, there is the third option of wearing an air filtration mask around all day, every day. After the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not unusual to see folks walking around day-to-day still wearing masks, so the worries of standing out are only for the past!
The reality is seasonal allergies are only getting worse due to warmer seasons being extended by climate-change. This means it’s of the utmost importance to stay on top of your seasonal allergies and here’s everything you’d never thought you’d never know about seasonal allergies! If you’ve gotten to the end of this article, then hopefully you’re equipped with new knowledge to help you survive pollen season or at least learned something new! But, at least you’ve learned some great facts that you can spout out at the next cocktail party.
You’re welcome!
About the Author: Derek Hines
Digital Marketing Specialist
Derek is originally from the great state of Wisconsin (go Badgers), but is slowly becoming a Pacific Northwesterner. As part of the Digital Marketing team, he writes extensively on storage, moving and life for West Coast Self-Storage, based in Everett, Washington.