When are our allergies the worst? The Internet holds the answer, new research suggests.
In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, researchers found that online searches for specific allergy symptoms peak at different times of the year, which could speak to when we're suffering from them the most. Nasal allergy symptoms, which include runny/itchy nose and congestion, are the most often searched allergy symptoms between March and May.
Specifically, researchers found that online searches for allergy symptoms are highest in the second week of May.
While spring had the most searches for allergy symptoms, fall came in second. Study researcher Dr. Leonard Bielory, M.D., an allergist and board member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, said this is because weed pollen and grass season occurs in September.
Aside from nasal allergies, the second most commonly searched type of allergy is eye allergies, researchers found.
Got allergies? Some places are worse than others, in terms of triggering symptoms. Check out the ranking of the "allergy capitals" from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
