Climate Change Intensifies Pollen Assault on Treasure Coast Residents

Treasure Coast residents who wake up every spring to a yellow-green film coating their cars and patio furniture are not imagining things — allergy season is growing longer and more severe. Climate change is a primary driver, experts say.

Milder winters and extended growing seasons mean pollen from oak, cedar, elm and other trees common throughout Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties lingers in the air longer than it did a decade ago, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The Southeast U.S. experienced one of the most intense allergy seasons on record in 2025 According to available information,. The progression follows a predictable pattern: tree pollen dominates early spring, grasses — including Bermuda and Johnson grass, both widespread in South Florida — follow, and weeds round out the season in late summer and early fall.

The single most effective step is limiting exposure, according to Dr. James Baker, an allergist at the University of Michigan. He advises keeping car and home windows closed even on pleasant days, wearing long sleeves outdoors to keep pollen off skin, and showering daily — including washing or covering hair — before getting into bed.

Rinsing eyes and nasal passages with saline after time outdoors can help flush pollen before it triggers a reaction, experts said. The same masks widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic offer meaningful protection against inhaled pollen, though they won't relieve eye symptoms.

Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective medication options for seasonal allergies, though many patients use them incorrectly, said Dr. Kathleen May, an allergist at Augusta University in Georgia. She recommends angling the nozzle toward the ear rather than aiming it straight up into the nose to avoid irritating nasal tissue. Oral antihistamines such as Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec can also help, though experts note they may work more slowly. Social media remedies like eating local honey to build pollen tolerance have been debunked by researchers.

Residents whose allergy symptoms are disrupting sleep or daily focus should consider seeing a specialist. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks daily pollen counts through a national network and provides free alerts online.

Locals experiencing significant allergy symptoms can contact the St. Lucie County Health Department at (772) 462-3800, the Martin County Health Department at (772) 221-4000 or the Indian River County Health Department at (772) 794-7400 for referrals to local allergy and pulmonary specialists.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.