It’s Not Your Imagination: Allergy Season Is Getting Longer — but There Is Relief

From a proliferation of billion-dollar disasters to the skyrocketing homeowners insurance prices they cause (and the growing problem of underinsurance) to a resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases, climate change is already wreaking havoc on Americans’ lives in many ways.

And if you’re one of the 26% of U.S. adults or 19% of children who experience seasonal allergies (as estimated by the CDC), unfortunately, another unpleasant climate-related change is looming: Allergy season is getting longer.

According to a recent report from Climate Central, research indicates that climate change contributors like "warming temperatures, shifting seasonal patterns, and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere" have the power to prolong and intensify America’s allergy season.

Anyone who’s ever dealt with a perpetually runny nose for an entire spring doesn’t need any further explanation about why this trend is a bummer. But allergies can have financial ramifications, too — not to mention longer-term health effects. Here’s what you need to know.

How allergies can affect long-term health — and how to fight them

Let’s start at the beginning. What causes allergies, and how do they work in our bodies?

Many seasonal allergies, according to Climate Central, are caused by pollen, which plants release as part of their reproductive cycle. Of course, different plants have different reproductive timelines, which means pollen allergies can be sustained through spring, summer and even into fall. In some areas, pollen can be emitted even in winter.

Another major contributor is mold: fungi who reproduce by releasing spores into the air. Again, specific seasonal peaks depend on factors like where you live and local weather patterns — but as the climate shifts, so too can these windows.

Along with causing sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and fatigue, seasonal allergies or "hay fever" can also trigger or worsen allergic asthma, which can occasionally be severe enough to lead to hospitalization or even death.

In short, treating allergies is important not only for short-term quality of life, but it can also make a difference in the long run. And the good news is, there are plenty of effective treatments.

Which allergy treatments are FSA/HSA eligible?

There are a few allergy-related procedures that are performed at your doctor’s office — like allergy tests, which can help determine which substances you’re actually allergic to, or allergy shots, which can help reduce symptoms by gradually exposing your immune system to the allergen.

Allergy shots are often covered by insurance, though a copay may apply; the same is true for allergy skin tests, though it’s worth double-checking your health insurance policy to understand your potential out-of-pocket costs and any exclusions. (You may also need a referral.)

Other common allergy treatments are over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines (like Zyrtec) or nasal corticosteroids (like Flonase).

While insurance is unlikely to cover over-the-counter medications like these, they are usually eligible to be paid for with an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account) — tax-incentivized savings accounts that can help reduce your overall health expenses. (There are a few differences between FSAs and HSAs, but the shortest version is that you can only get an FSA through your employer.)

Additionally, if you suffer from severe allergies, your doctor may be able to write you a prescription for these medications, or others, which may be covered at least in part by your insurance.

You may also successfully reduce the symptoms of allergies with an air humidifier or purifier, which may be FSA/HSA eligible if you have a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor.

Longer allergy seasons may be a catalyst for those who suffer from them to beef up their existing allergy treatment plans — but with some careful planning (and the right health insurance coverage), it doesn’t have to be unaffordable.