On May 10, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that carbon dioxide levels had reached nearly 400 parts per million (ppm), the highest reading since 1958 when the federal agency began recording these measurements. 

"The last time in the Earth's history when we saw similar levels of CO2 in the atmosphere was probably about 4.5 million years ago when the world was warmer on average by three or four degrees Celsius than it is today," said Professor Sir Brian Hoskins of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at the Imperial College London, according to the Huffington Post. "There was no apparent ice sheet on Greenland, sea levels were much higher, and the world was a very different place."

It has long been documented that climate change and increased carbon dioxide levels have a negative effect on the environment, but recent research suggests that these factors may lead to worse allergies, which could have a significant impact on the millions of Americans who suffer from these afflictions. 

According to Kansas City, Kansas, news station KMBZ, a 2005 study revealed that high carbon dioxide levels caused ragweed plants – known for being troublesome to allergy suffers – to produce a particularly potent pollen in larger-than-normal amounts. Additionally, reports the source, as temperatures begin heating up in earlier months, plants adapt to this schedule and bloom sooner, which causes an overlap between the spring, summer and fall allergy seasons.

If you have seasonal allergies, don't let your pollen allergy symptoms prevent you from being comfortable in your own home. Consider investing in a whole house air purifier, which removes allergens directly from the air.

Recently on this blog, we discussed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that indicates that skin and food allergies are on the rise among children throughout the United States. Over the years, a large amount of research has been conducted to shed light on what causes people to have allergies, and new research conducted at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City suggests that one factor that may be to blame is being born in this country. 

According to the data, which was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, 34.5 percent of children between the ages of 0 and 16 who were born in the United States were found to have allergies, while only 20.3 percent of kids born elsewhere were diagnosed with hay fever, asthma, eczema or other similar afflictions. 

The research also showed that individuals who resided in the United States for a decade or longer after being born outside of the country developed a significantly increased risk of having allergies and asthma. 

"The results of the study suggest that there are environmental factors in the United States that trigger allergic disease," said Dr. Jonathan Silverberg, one of the authors of the study, according to Reuters. "Children born outside the United States are likely not exposed to these factors early in life and are therefore less likely to develop allergic diseases."

Individuals across the country who suffer from allergies can rely on products such as the whole house air purifier, which removes common irritants such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites directly from the air.

A recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that skin and food allergies are on the rise among children in the United States. The data reveals that the rate of skin allergies in individuals under the age of 18 increased from 7.4 percent in 1997 to 12.5 percent in 2011. As for food allergies, the rate jumped from 3.4 percent to 5.1 percent in that same time period. 

"Allergies are not a joke, it is very frightening for families impacted by it – they do not want it to control their lives, but it does," said Dr. Sakina Bajowala, an allergy specialist in Chicago, according to NBC News. 

The source reports that doctors are concerned by the rise in allergies, as these afflictions can lead to more severe health complications such as fatal respiratory diseases and disfiguring skin conditions. However, says Bajowala, by figuring out which allergen is affecting an individual, doctors can use specific treatments to reduce its effect. 

"Immunotherapy has a more than 80 percent success rate," Bajowala said. "I like to explain to my patients that their immune system is overreacting (to an allergen) and we are retraining it to tolerate something it did not tolerate before."

In addition to seeing an allergy specialist, there are steps allergy sufferers can take around the house to ensure that they are comfortable. You may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier that can remove common irritants such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites directly from the air.

When it comes to parenting, most mothers and fathers will do anything they can to ensure that their babies grow into strong and healthy children. And, according to a new study published in the May 6 issue of the peer-reviewed medical journal Pediatrics, parents may be able to decrease the likelihood of their kids getting asthma or eczema if they suck on the pacifiers that their children use when they are infants. 

The research reveals that transferring certain bacteria from the parent's mouth to a baby's can help foster a more robust development of the child's digestive and immune systems, similarly to how infants delivered vaginally are shown to have fewer allergies as a result of being exposed to their mother's bacteria at such a young age.

Dr. Wilfried Karmaus, who has studied asthma and eczema at the University of Memphis, told Fox News that the study doesn't prove that a parent's saliva on a pacifier protects against these afflictions, and as such it is too early to recommend this technique. However, he said, it is worth trying and at the very least won't be harmful. 

"It's always hard to tell if it's the only explanation, but we have tried to analyze as many other possibilities as we can think of," Karmaus told the source. "This is a simple measure which is really, really nice, but we need a trial to be really sure that this is protective."

If you or your child does suffer from asthma or allergies, there are steps you can take around the house to ensure that they are comfortable. You may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier that can remove common irritants such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites directly from the air. 

An abnormally high pollen count in many parts of the United States this spring could mean worse symptoms for individuals who suffer from asthma. According to a recent article published on Arizona news site KTVK-3TV, there has been a high number of asthma-related doctor's visits in the state this year, and experts say this is partly due to seasonal allergens. 

"I would say [allergy season is] worse this year because we didn't have a freeze this past winter, so the ragweed and types of weeds that would have been dormant are still blooming and even worse this year," said Kimberly Reiners, a pediatric asthma educator at Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. 

If you or your children have asthma, it's important to be vigilant about preventing attacks, as there are 3,404 deaths each year attributed to the chronic respiratory disease, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

"Any time your child is coughing, having shortness of breath, say their chest hurts [or] doesn't have a lot of energy, it's best to let your primary care doctor know right away," Reiners told the source. 

In addition to speaking to a doctor about what you can do to reduce your asthma symptoms this allergy season, there are simple products you can invest in to help eliminate the presence of certain triggers. A whole house air purifier can remove common irritants such as pet dander, pollen and dust mites directly from the air. If you or your children spend a lot of time in the car, installing a cabin air filter can prevent allergens from entering the vehicle. 

While common sense may tell you that allergens can worsen symptoms in individuals who suffer from respiratory issues, doctors and scientists have only recently begun to conduct formal research on the effects that seasonal allergies have on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers from Johns Hopkins University reported on the link they discovered between these two afflictions. According to dailyRx, a leading provider of health news and medical information, they studied 1,381 individuals with COPD and found that those who had been diagnosed with allergies were more likely to exhibit symptoms of wheezing, chronic coughing and a buildup of phlegm. These individuals also had higher odds of having to see a doctor for reasons related to their COPD.

"Our findings in two independent populations that allergic disease is associated with greater severity of COPD suggest that treatment of active allergic disease or avoidance of allergy triggers may help improve respiratory symptoms in these patients, although causality could not be determined in our cross-sectional study," said Dr. Nadia Hansel, who works for the Johns Hopkins University Asthma & Allergy Center and helped conduct the research. 

There are simple actions you can take in your everyday life to reduce the presence of certain triggers that may exacerbate your COPD symptoms. You may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier for your home and a car cabin air filter for your vehicle to help keep pollen out of your lungs during this particularly severe allergy season.

With the spring allergy season in full effect across the United States, thousands of people are suffering from some of the highest pollen levels in years. Fortunately, there are actions you can take within your home, such as investing in a whole house air purifier, which removes allergens directly from the air, to ensure that you are comfortable and healthy. You can even find relief in your vehicle by using a car cabin air filter to prevent pollutants from getting into the passenger compartment.

But what about when you're outside of your comfort zone? Many individuals travel frequently for work or other reasons, and for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, moving around to different climates can take a toll on their health if they aren't prepared. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when traveling with seasonal allergies: 

Be proactive with your medications – If you know that you're going to be surrounded by a particular allergen, it may be beneficial to take your medicine ahead of time. Talk to your doctor about this to see what he or she has to say. 

Determine which kind of pollen you're allergic to – When you see an allergy specialist, he or she can give you a skin test that will reveal exactly what is irritating you. Once you know which allergen to be on the lookout for, you can go online and figure out what the pollen levels are at your destination so you know what to expect. 

Keep the pollen out of your hotel room - When you return to your temporary home at the end of the day, change your clothes immediately so you're not carrying the pollen around with you. It's also a good idea to take a shower before you go to sleep to ensure that you aren't bringing allergens into bed with you. 

As we've reported previously in this blog, many parts of the United States are being hit with longer-than-usual allergy seasons and high pollen counts. These factors combined are causing more severe reactions than in years past. 

Individuals who live in Minnesota have been able to benefit from a more delayed start to their allergy season than other areas of the country, as the frigid and snowy spring has slowed pollination. However, allergy specialist Dr. James Lakin explained to local affiliate FOX 9 News that as allergy season begins to get underway in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, symptoms are expected to be notably strong.

"You can only buy off Mother Nature for so long," Dr. Lakin said, when referring to the uncharacteristically cool spring temperatures in Minnesota over the past couple months. "I'm afraid what we are starting to see is a much more intense pollination that is occurring."

People are already starting to notice the effects. Sarah Maderich, a resident of the Burnsville area, told the source that the symptoms she has been experiencing for the past week have been "worse than ever." 

With this information in mind, it's a good idea for allergy sufferers in Minnesota and other areas of the country that are being hit particularly hard to do whatever they can to minimize their symptoms. In addition to seeing a specialist and taking any prescribed medications, you may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier removes allergens directly from the air and ensure that you are comfortable in your own home.

Now that pollen season is fully underway in most parts of the country, it's important for those who suffer from allergies to do whatever they can to ensure their health and comfort. And, while symptoms are apt to be worse during the day, when people are out and about and more likely to encounter seasonal allergens, a new study suggests that this affliction is affecting the sleeping patterns of many individuals. 

On April 23, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) revealed that 59 percent of people who suffer from nasal allergies said that they have had a difficult time sleeping as a result of their symptoms. Perhaps the most alarming bit of data uncovered by the research is that only 35 percent of individuals are making a proactive effort to treat their allergies. 

"This survey further reinforces that although many people are significantly impacted by their nasal allergies, they are doing very little to avoid the onset of their burdensome symptoms," Bill McLin, President and CEO of AAFA, said in a press release. 

Dr. Mark Holbreich, an allergy specialist, told The Huffington Post that there are a number of actions people can take to prevent and treat their nighttime symptoms, including showering before going to sleep, keeping windows closed and using medication prescribed by a doctor. 

Another great way to ensure that your bedroom is clear of common allergens like pet dander, dust and pollen is to purchase allergy bedding, such as the Pristine Complete Allergen Proof Bedding Set. These special linens are made of tightly woven yarns that allow air and moisture to pass through, but are too small for allergens. For just $249.95, you get a comforter, pillows, pillow encasings and a mattress sheet. 

All that sniffing, sneezing and itching can only mean one thing: Spring allergy season is here. In fact, according to experts, the pollen count is higher than it has been in years, and the effects may be stronger and last longer than usual due to factors such as climate change and recent storms like Hurricane Sandy that have disrupted the environment. 

Living with allergies is tough, but the good news is that it's possible to coexist with allergens. In addition to seeing an allergy specialist and taking any medications that are prescribed to you, there are steps you can take to ensure that your home is a place of comfort, where you can take refuge from the pollen circulating in the outdoor air. 

Here are some tips for keeping pollen outside your house: 

Change your clothes and shower often  - When you come inside, take off your shoes and consider putting on a different outfit to avoid tracking allergens on your carpets and furniture. Before you climb into bed at night, take a shower so you can wash off any of the particles that may have stuck to your body throughout the day. 

Dust often – While this chore is probably already part of your cleaning schedule, consider making an effort to do more of it during allergy season. 

Purchase a whole house air purifier – These devices are very effective, as they work by removing allergens directly from the air and ensuring that you can breathe easy. 

This allergy season, be sure to check out the Allergy Be Gone website for additional products that can help you combat your symptoms.