Itchy, sneezing and miserable already? What to expect from allergy season 2022 in Phoenix

The turn of the calendar to March signals not only the beginning of spring and a blossoming desert but also the dreaded return of allergy symptoms for many people. 

In metro Phoenix, allergy symptoms are typically most intense at this time of year as trees, plants and grasses come back to life. Weeds also proliferate in the spring.

But while spring is the most intense time of year for sneezing and coughing, it’s not uncommon to see allergens like pollen every month because there's always something growing somewhere in Arizona. Irritants like dust and pollution also are present throughout the year.

Dr. Bart Leyko, an allergist with the Allergy Asthma Clinic in Phoenix, said it's hard for allergy sufferers to catch a break.

"There's always something in the air here," he said. "There's no winter, no snow on the ground freezing over pollen. Something is always pollinating here and it never fully stops. It just tends to pick up again in the spring and fall."

Here's what you need to know about seasonal allergies in Arizona. 

When is allergy season in Arizona?

Something could trigger your symptoms just about any time of year. But the misery is typically worst in the spring when plants of all types undergo growth spurts.

Leyko also blames the many non-native plants that have been brought to Arizona for stoking sinus inflammation, itchy eyes and headaches. In fact, Leyko said, the introduction of non-native species turned Arizona from a haven for allergy sufferers into a place like any other where pollen fills the air.

“That (myth) goes way back before we brought a lot of non-native plants and decided to make the desert into heaven for golfers and olive trees and mulberry trees and bringing anything that can grow out here," Leyko said. "It was transformative from a desert that was devoid of allergy-producing plants and now to cultivated plants that produce pollen for most of the year.

"Most of the year you can look at every month and find a plant that pollinates if there is the right temperature and circumstances. It’s becoming more rare that we are seeing patients that have been recommended to move to the desert in the past several years because I think most physicians around the country finally caught on."

Tuberculosis:Arizona's history as a haven for people fleeing the fearsome disease

How does the weather affect allergy symptoms?

The lack of rain in the past two months is part of the reason allergy sufferers are feeling it right now. According to Marvin Percha, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix, January and February were drier than December. Hotter, drier conditions are perfect for pollen in the air. 

“During the winter, we had a pretty wet December but it’s been dry since,” Percha said. “In terms of temperatures, nothing too remarkable, we have been having our typical cool spells and of course recently we’ve seen our first 80-degree temperatures of the year.”

Percha said the outlook for summer calls for above-normal temperatures and a normal monsoon season with localized heavy rains. 

Rain washes allergens out of the air but that relief is short-lived, according to Leyko. 

“Rain will initially bring down the pollution and all the particulates, so that will give you nice and fresh clean air," Leyko said. "The rain seeps into the ground and fuels the growth and then a few weeks down the line you will get some ground sprouting and we actually get weed growth. Weeks to months later we have this vegetation that grows wild in the desert.

"When it rains, yes, it does initially clear up the air pollution and the particulates in the air, but it does fuel growth of wild plants in the desert.”

I don't have allergies. Why do I have symptoms?

Leyko said plant growth after rain doesn't only affect people with allergies.

"People react to weather changes," Leyko said. "Storms coming in, barometric pressure changes and humidity. Some people just react to that in itself.

"So these environmental physical changes that have nothing to do with allergies, those do affect our noses. Our noses respond to various stimuli so that it itself can cause some congestion and some pressure in the head." 

What are the most common allergy symptoms?

According to webmd.com, these are the most common seasonal allergy symptoms: 

• Runny nose.
• Watery eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Coughing.
• Itchy eyes and nose.
• Dark circles under the eyes.

What Arizona plants cause allergies?

According to allergyarizona.net, these are some of the top desert plants that trigger allergy symptoms:

• Ragweed.
• Tumbleweeds.
• Bermuda grass.
• Rye grass.
• Juniper trees.
• Mesquite trees.
• Mulberry trees.
• Olive trees.

Air pollution also can cause respiratory allergy attacks. Pollutants from cars and construction can swirl around and be inhaled.

Ways to treat your seasonal allergy symptoms

• Get tested to see what you are allergic to. An allergist can prescribe medicine or other ways to combat allergies.
• Make lifestyle changes. Keep windows closed when you're indoors. Wear a mask outdoors to avoid inhaling irritants. Change your home and car air filters regularly. After you've been outside, change your clothes or shower to keep allergens from spreading in your home.
• Try over-the-counter remedies. Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra can provide relief. Nasal sprays like Nasacort and Flonase can also help those hay fever symptoms.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com  or you can also follow her on Twitter. 

Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today.