The pandemic has given us yet more reason to hate allergy season. 7 out of 10 individuals are worried that their coughs and sneezes would be misinterpreted as COVID-19 symptoms.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans with seasonal allergies, which looked at their favourite and least favourite seasons. The research comes as we reach the peak of fall, which 81% of people say is a pleasant time of year. Autumn came in second only to spring, which is enjoyed by 82% of Americans.
Winter is the least preferred season for 4 out of 10 people, with chilly temperatures (84%), snowy weather (54%), and having to stay indoors (46%) cited as the main causes. On the other end of the weather spectrum, one in four people hates summer because of the heat (72 %), humidity (60 %), and bugs (50%).
US people love the outdoors
The survey, conducted on behalf of Nasacort by OnePoll, indicated that respondents can tolerate their least preferred season for a little more than four weeks before becoming sick of it. Americans have a strong connection to the outdoors when it comes to their preferred season, which is expected to be even stronger as COVID-19 instances continue to climb.
Almost three-quarters of those polled (73%) said their seasonal preference is related to how much time they can spend outside. Furthermore, 74% anticipate spending more time outside this year than in an usual year, as a result of spending so much time indoors in the previous year. It can, however, be difficult for certain people to enjoy the outdoors. More than six in ten (64%) of those who named spring as their least preferred season (16%) blamed it on allergies.
Four out of every five people say their least popular season has changed as they’ve gotten older, and one out of every ten attributes this to their allergies deteriorating over time.
“As people enjoy different seasons for different reasons, nobody should be prevented from indulging in their favorite time of year,” a Nasacort spokesperson said in a statement.
“Though spring is usually thought to be the ‘worst nightmare’ for those with allergies, it’s evident that people don’t want to let their allergies get in the way of enjoying the season’s pleasures.”
Take control of your allergies by being proactive
More than half of those polled (55%) said their allergies are severe enough to disrupt their everyday lives throughout certain seasons. This attitude is shared by nearly four-fifths (79%) of those who named spring as their least preferred season.
Furthermore, 74% of individuals who named spring as their least favorite season frequently avoid social activities due to allergy flare-ups. Another 64% of people are concerned about this prospect. Many people prefer to deal with allergies in a proactive manner; nearly three out of every five people take their allergy medication less than a week into their regular allergy season (59%).
“Nobody should have to endure the discomfort of allergies to the point where it interrupts everyday life,” the spokesperson added.
“Incidences of allergies have been higher throughout the past few months than they were at the same time last year, and we expect that to continue through the end of the year. Staying on top of seasonal allergies is possible now more than ever, and finding the right product, such as an effective nasal spray, may be key for seasonal enjoyment moving forward.”
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