This Spring's Pollen Season Will Be Worse Than Ever

Spring 2026 is bringing beautiful flowers and warm weather to much of the United States. But it's also bringing something not so nice: the worst pollen season in years. More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults suffer from seasonal allergies. This year, doctors say allergy symptoms will be stronger and last longer than usual.

Dr. Sarah Chen is an allergy doctor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She helps patients deal with seasonal allergies every year. 'Will this season be worse than last year?' is a question she hears all the time. With record warm temperatures starting spring 2026, her answer is a teary-eyed 'yes.'

When people say they have allergies, they mean their nose and eyes get irritated by things in the air. This causes itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. People also get sneezing, congestion, and itching inside their nose. These symptoms show up when allergens are floating around during spring, summer, and fall.

The main cause of seasonal allergies is a protein found in pollen. Pollen is like tiny dust that plants make to help create new plants. It's the male part that plants release to spread their species. When pollen gets into your nose or eyes, your body's defense system might think it's dangerous.

Several things affect how bad an allergy season will be. The two biggest factors are how long plants grow and how much pollen fills the air. Both of these are getting worse because of climate change. When temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, trees wake up from their winter sleep.

There are many ways people can manage their allergy symptoms at home. The first step is trying to avoid allergens by making changes around your house. Keeping windows closed during pollen season reduces the amount of allergens that enter your home. People should also change clothes or take showers after being outdoors.