United States: Seasonal allergies affect Palmetto State residents to a greater degree every year, as climate change research suggests.
Pollen season has become both longer and stronger than before, depending on research from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2025 Allergy Capitals report.
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According to the report, the changing climate stands out as the principal cause of seasonal allergies.
Seventy allergies in the nation are ranked in the United States Allergy Capitals report, and Greenville holds the ninth spot.
Each year, pollen comes into the atmosphere as a result of grass combined with weeds and trees.
What are the experts stating?
Dr. Kelli Williams from the Medical University of South Carolina Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Section points out that birch, along with pine and oak trees, produce the most excessive pollen in the Southeast and Lowcountry regions.
The diverse pollen particles present several variations in their diameters that stretch from tiny microparticles to tiny nanoparticles.
Dissimilar reactions occur in the body’s immune system because of different types of pollen sources. Antibodies activate antibody production to defend against them, thus leading to higher sneezing and sniffing frequencies during the spring season.
“That [pollen] really can affect people differently whether it’s going to be respiratory symptoms for the smaller particles or more the nasal symptoms that are associated with each of the pollen,” as Williams stated.
Williams practices medicine among both children and adults and explains that allergic reactions depend on the amount of pollen dust that falls in specific periods of time.
Furthermore, he added, “We had a very cold winter, both with the ice over January, but also, we had that cold burst in February,” US News reported
“When the trees are trying to create the pollen before they dump and they’re just making all of these new ‘baby pollen,’ getting ready to dump…they kind of get a big buildup. So, when it’s nice weather, that’s when it starts dumping,” he added.
According to Williams, it helps to avoid eye contact while preventing window exposure, as well as washing vehicles and sporting hats for daily reduction of pollen intake.
To treat the symptoms of itching, runny nose, and sneezing, healthcare providers recommend using antihistamines that are available without a prescription.
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays require a medical prescription while offering daily-season-long relief for patients.