Facts, Prevention, and Relief for South Carolina Allergies in 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlySouth Carolina is known for its pleasant climate and enjoyable beaches. Although South Carolina may be beautiful, it can be a nightmare for seasonal allergies. South Carolina is often ranked as one of the worst states for allergies. The warmer climates and high concentrations of pollen make for a long and miserable allergy season.
South Carolina has indoor allergies to consider as well, with mold, dust mites, and pet dander all posing a problem. But what can you do to combat your seasonal allergies, and what types of pollen do you need to know about?
Wyndly can help with your South Carolina allergies. Our doctors will provide you with a personalized allergy treatment plan to bring you lifelong relief. Get your personalized allergy consultation today, or read on to learn more about South Carolina allergies.
When Is South Carolina Allergy Season?
Allergy season can be relatively long in South Carolina, especially along the coast, where snow and frost are rare. While allergy season in South Carolina isn’t necessarily year-round, it can go into early winter and start back up again in late winter. Usually, allergy season will go from late February to late November.
Allergens by Season
South Carolina allergies can go for most of the year along the coastal region, while the midlands will have a more typical allergy season. Let’s take a look at the allergies that are prominent during each season.
Summer
Summer allergies in South Carolina will mostly consist of grass allergies. Ryegrass and Bermuda, bent, and sweet vernal grasses are some common grass pollens in the state. Usually, grass allergies will begin in May and taper off by the end of August.
Fall
Fall allergies in South Carolina are usually from ragweed, marsh elder, sagebrush, and Russian thistle. Weed allergy season will usually begin in mid-August and last until the first frost. On the coast, weed allergies can last as long as late November.
Winter
A good portion of the state will have a couple of months where seasonal allergies take a break. This time of relief may be shorter in coastal regions, with tree allergies starting up again as early as February.
Spring
Spring will bring tree allergy season to full bloom in South Carolina. Oak, bayberry, pine, hickory, walnut, ash, mulberry, cedar, and willow tree pollen can all contribute to spring allergies. These allergies can start as early as February before peaking in March and April.
Common Allergens
As with many states, South Carolina counts weeds, trees, and grass pollen as its most common seasonal allergens.
Common Symptoms
South Carolina residents can expect the following allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Hives
- Aggravated asthma symptoms
As always, reactions will vary from person to person, but allergies will generally cause one or more of these symptoms to occur.
Allergens Around the State
Different areas of South Carolina will have various allergens that are more prevalent in those regions. Here are some of the common allergies in major regions of South Carolina.
Walhalla
The Walhalla area will have oak, hickory, walnut, willow, and ash allergies in spring. In summer, grass allergies will come from ryegrass and Bermuda, fescue, timothy, bent, and sweet vernal. Fall allergies will bring ragweed and amaranth pollen.
Greenville/Spartanburg/Rock Hill/Greenwood
The Greenville, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, and Greenwood areas will have spring allergies from oak, hickory, walnut, maple, ash, mulberry, and pecan trees. Summer brings grass allergies from ryegrass and Bermuda, timothy, fescue, orchard, and bent. Fall allergies include ragweed, mustard, and wormwood pollen.
Columbia/Aiken/Florence/Sumter/Congaree National Park
Spring allergy season in the Columbia, Aiken, Florence, Sumter, and Congaree National Park areas will bring tree allergies from oak, hickory, walnut, cedar, ash, and mulberry trees. Summer allergies will include Bermuda, bent, timothy, and fescue grasses. Fall allergies include ragweed, amaranth, and wormwood.
Myrtle Beach/Charleston/Hilton Head
The Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head areas will have oak, hickory, walnut, cedar, mulberry, and ash tree allergies in spring. In summer they’ll have Bermuda, corn, and bent grass allergens in the air. Fall allergies include ragweed, Russian thistle, amaranth, and marsh elder.
Testing and Diagnosis
With so much pollen in the air during allergy season, it can be hard to diagnose the source of your allergies. Fortunately, allergy tests can eliminate any doubt and reveal your primary allergens. Wyndly makes allergy testing easy with our at-home test. Just order your test and do a quick finger prick, and we get you your results. Get your allergy test from Wyndly today.
Here’s how different allergy testing options work:
Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and discomfort by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Buy Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick test to provide us with a blood sample and mail it back when you’re done.
- Receive your personal allergy profile. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment and Remedies
You don’t have to just wait out allergy season and hope your symptoms don’t get too miserable. There are various ways to manage and even treat your symptoms. Let’s take a look at some treatment and remedy options.
Limiting Exposure
Once you know what you’re allergic to, make sure you limit your exposure to that substance. The following are some methods that might help you.
- Check pollen counts: Check pollen counts first thing in the morning. If the pollen count is high, you may want to stay indoors as much as you can that day. If you do need to go outside on those days, it’s a good idea to wear a dust mask and sunglasses.
- Close your windows: Don’t let pollen get into your home through your open windows. Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioner. It’s even better if your A/C has a HEPA filter.
- Clean your home often: Keeping your house clean can help limit the amount of pollen you’re exposed to at home. Use a HEPA filter vacuum weekly, dust surfaces, and take off your shoes when you get home to avoid tracking in pollen.
- Shower and do laundry: When you go outside during allergy season you’ll get pollen on your hair, skin, and clothes. Be sure to shower more often during allergy season and to do your laundry frequently.
- Cut grass and trim trees: If you keep grass short and trim tree branches, you can reduce how much pollen they produce. Be sure to wear a mask while doing it, or see if someone else can do it for you.
Medications
Limiting exposure may not be enough to get your symptoms under control. You might want to try over-the-counter allergy medications like antihistamines, eye drops, nasal sprays, and decongestants. They are readily available and can help to manage your symptoms for short-term relief.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
If you’re wanting to do more than just manage your symptoms, consider sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops. Allergy drops can actually treat your symptoms and help you find lifelong relief. They work by introducing small, gradually increasing doses of your allergen to your immune system. This teaches your immune system to develop a tolerance or ignore the harmless substance. Allergy drops are just as effective as allergy shots but without the need for needles or a visit to the doctor. You can take allergy drops easily from home.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
When you want to find long-term relief from allergy symptoms, Wyndly can help. We’ll provide you with a personal consultation and a personalized treatment plan for your South Carolina allergies. With sublingual immunotherapy delivered to your door, you can find total relief from your allergies.
Get your allergy consultation with Wyndly today.
South Carolina Allergy FAQs
Still have questions about South Carolina allergies? Here are some common questions and answers to help you out.
How long is South Carolina’s allergy season?
South Carolina’s allergy season can last a little longer than allergy season in many states, sometimes starting in late winter and ending in early winter.
Why is allergy season so bad in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a mild climate and a high concentration of pollen, making allergy season difficult for allergy sufferers.
Is South Carolina a good state if you have allergies?
South Carolina frequently ranks as one of the worst states for allergies.
When is South Carolina allergy season?
South Carolina allergy season will usually last from late February to the first frost in the middle and western regions, while in the coastal regions, allergy season may last well into November.
What are the worst months?
The worst months are April, June, and September.
