Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Maine Allergies in 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyMaine is known for its beautiful coastlines, nature, and charming towns. It’s not known for its allergy seasons one way or the other, because it lands pretty much in the middle. Maine isn’t the best state for seasonal allergy sufferers, but it’s certainly not the worst either. Thanks to cold winters, the length of the allergy season is relatively typical.
Still, that doesn’t mean allergies aren’t a problem for Maine residents. There is plenty of airborne pollen that causes sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, and other allergy symptoms. So, what pollen types should you be watching out for, and when are the allergy seasons in Maine?
Wyndly is here to help. With Wyndly, you get a personalized allergy treatment plan to bring you long-term relief from your Maine allergies. Get your consultation today, or read on to learn more about Maine allergy season.
When Is Maine Allergy Season?
Maine allergy season is a relatively normal length — if not a little short compared to other states. The cold winters mean that allergy season will usually end in November and start back up in late February or early March.
Allergens by Season
Maine has a variety of pollen allergies throughout the year. Let’s take a look at each season and the allergies it may bring.
Summer
Summer allergies in Maine will mostly consist of grass allergies. The grass allergies in Maine will include ryegrass and bent, timothy, brome, fescue, sweet vernal, and orchard grass pollen. Late May is usually the beginning of grass allergies, with the peak happening in June.
Fall
Fall is weed allergy season for Maine residents. Ragweed, wormwood, mustard, orache, amaranth, smother weed, Russian thistle, and sagebrush all contribute to fall allergies. This season starts in late August, peaks in September, and ends after the first frost.
Winter
Winter provides Maine residents with a nice break from allergy season. Be aware of indoor allergens like mold, pet dander, and dust mites, though.
Spring
Once winter melts away, tree allergy season will begin in Maine. Juniper, poplar, maple, oak, and birch trees are the primary spring allergies for Maine residents.
Common Allergens
Maine has a variety of tree, grass, and weed pollen present every allergy season.
Common Symptoms
Maine 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 in general, allergies will cause one or more of these symptoms to occur.
Allergens Around the State
Each area of Maine may have some variations in pollen allergies. Let’s take a look at some of the major regions and the allergies you may find there.
Caribou/Presque Isle
Spring allergens in the Caribou and Presque Isle areas include pollen from maple, oak, willow, and walnut trees. Summer allergies include ryegrass and bent, timothy, brome, and orchard grasses. In fall, ragweed, wormwood, and orache pollen allergies are the main problems.
Jackman/Rockwood/Greenville
In the Jackman, Rockwood, and Greenville areas, spring allergy triggers include ash, willow, maple, oak, hickory, and walnut trees. Summer grass allergies include bent, timothy, orchard, and fescue. In fall, ragweed, mustard, and wormwood are the primary weed allergens.
Bangor/Lincoln/Orono
In the Bangor, Lincoln, and Orono areas, spring tree allergies kick off allergy season with ash, willow, oak, hickory, and mulberry. Summer grass allergies include ryegrass and bent, timothy, fescue, and sweet vernal. Fall weed allergens include marsh elder, ragweed, mustard, orache, and amaranth.
Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park
Spring tree allergies in the Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park areas include oak, ash, maple, hickory, and willow trees. Summer grass allergies include ryegrass and bent, timothy, orchard, and fescue. Fall weed allergies include marsh elder, ragweed, orache, Russian thistle, and mustard.
Portland/Augusta/Brunswick/York
Spring tree allergies in the Portland, Augusta, Brunswick, and York areas include oak, juniper, poplar, birch, and maple pollen. In summer, ryegrass and bent, timothy, orchard, and fescue grasses cause the most problems. In fall, weed allergies are often due to amaranth, ragweed, smotherweed, and sagebrush.
Testing and Diagnosis
When you’re dealing with seasonal allergies, it can be hard to pin down what type of pollen is causing them. There is a ton of pollen in the air once allergy season starts, so it’s nearly impossible to narrow it down and self-diagnose your allergies. With an allergy test, you can quickly learn the source of your symptoms. Fortunately, Wyndly makes allergy testing simple. With our at-home allergy test, all you need to do is a quick finger prick and we can 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 pain by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Order 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 treatment plan.
Treatment and Remedies
Allergy symptoms are miserable to put up with, but fortunately, there are some options for managing and treating your symptoms.
Limiting Exposure
Limiting your exposure can help manage and reduce the severity of your symptoms. The following are some methods to try.
- Check pollen count: It’s always a good idea to check the pollen count to see how high the pollen concentration is in your area. On high pollen count days, try to stay indoors or wear a dust mask when you have to go outside.
- Keep windows closed and run A/C: Pollen can float in through the windows, so keep them closed and run the air conditioner during allergy season. A HEPA filter on your A/C can also help.
- Clean the house: Make sure to vacuum frequently, dust hard surfaces with a wet rag, and do laundry often. You’ll likely get pollen in your home and on your clothes, so keeping things clean can reduce the level of pollen in your home environment.
- Shower frequently: Pollen sticks to your skin and gets in your hair, so be sure to shower when you get home.
Medications
Limiting your exposure may not always do the trick, so over-the-counter allergy meds may help manage symptoms for short-term relief. You can find antihistamines, eye drops, nasal sprays, and decongestants in most pharmacies.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
If you’re seeking long-term relief from your allergies, you should try sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops. Allergy drops retrain your immune system to ignore harmless allergen substances. They use small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen that are administered under the tongue. Allergy drops are just as effective as allergy shots, but they don’t require a visit to the doctor, and there are no painful needles.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
When you’re ready to get long-term relief from allergies, choose Wyndly. Our doctors can create a personalized treatment plan made to treat your Maine allergies. With your treatment plan delivered to your door, you can easily get relief for life.
Get your allergy consultation with Wyndly today.
Maine Allergy FAQs
Still have questions about Maine allergies? Here are some common questions and answers to help you out.
How long is Maine’s allergy season?
Maine allergy season starts in early spring and ends at the first frost.
Is allergy season bad in Maine?
Maine has a variety of flora, but the allergy season is fairly typical.
Is Maine a good state if you have allergies?
Maine is ranked around the middle for allergies.
When is Maine allergy season?
Maine allergy season starts in late February or early March and ends in November.
What are the worst months?
The worst months are April, June, and September.
