Allergies and Rain

Rain can either relieve or aggravate allergies in sensitive individuals. Although significant rainfall may temporarily cleanse the air of allergens, the resulting moisture may create new irritants in the form of grass and mold allergens.

Allergies

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a particular substance by releasing antibodies against it, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Rainfall

Rain can “wash” the air of its pollen, temporarily causing relief for allergy sufferers, according to Weather.com, the Weather Channel's website.

Variables

Not every rain automatically relieves allergy symptoms. Light rain may have a minimal effect on pollen levels. Heavy rain, on the other hand, can rid the air of pollen for hours.

After the Rain

The same rain that clears allergy sufferers’ sinuses may indirectly aggravate them after the skies clear. Rainfall encourages plant growth, and the resulting boost in grass and tree pollens can bring a return of allergy symptoms.

Molds

Molds, another common cause of allergies, thrive on ground dampened by rains or flooding. Rains that delay the year’s first frost extend the molds’ active period, according to the Texas A & M Health Science Center.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Allergies
• The Weather Channel: Your Allergies & the Weather (Rain)
• Texas A & M Health Science Center: Winter Showers May Bring – and Aggravate – Springtime Allergies