The American Academy Of Allergy Asthma and Immunology points out that more than half of today’s Americans are struggling with a vulnerability to one or more allergens. Whether it’s allergic rhinitis, drug or food allergy, skin and insect sting allergic reactions, data shows 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from some sort of allergic condition. With that in mind, are you ready to face the allergy season?

For many of those suffering from allergies, particularly caused by vulnerability to pollen, the spring is one of their most miserable times. Not only does the allergy consume a lot of their energy and love of life, but at times these allergic reactions get so intense that eye drops, nasal sprays and antihistamines are not enough. For people experiencing their allergic symptoms more intense than usually, immune boosting allergy shots become a solution.

This year, doctors point out that the allergy season will be particularly different than any other year. The mild winter and the speeding spring are already giving people suffering from allergies a hard time. November’s mild temperatures that carried on through February have boosted up the allergy season and sniffling and sneezing have already started.

Derek Johnson is a medical director of the Fairfax Allergy Asthma and Sinus Clinic. He told the Washington post that while the allergy season would have normally begin at the beginning of April, there are already patients experiencing it for at least a month now.

“The mild winter has resulted in very high pollen levels in February and early March, when they’re typically very low or negligible” Johnson explained. He compared the level of tree pollen at the end of February with the same level last year. The difference is breathtaking: February 23 2012 there were 365 grains per cubic meter. February 23 2011 there were only 2.88 grains per cubic meter.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America points out to a similar fact: “earlier springs could potentially cause more pollen exposure for many people, prolonging the problem”.

Plus with March bringing temperatures of 70 to most of the United States, the biggest allergy triggers will pollinate ahead of time. Birch, cedar, pine and cottonwood will make life harder for many people.