A telltale sign of the arrival of spring is the onset of seasonal allergic rhinitis, usually marked by a runny nose, watery and red eyes, or an itchy throat, ears, and palate. But this year, many Americans are finding that their allergic symptoms are not merely unpleasant, but downright unbearable — and in some cases, worse than they've ever experienced before.
On Twitter, a deluge of posts bemoans the severity of this year's allergy season, with users frantically searching for relief from the onslaught of symptoms. Searches for terms like "are allergies bad today?" skyrocketed in April, as people seek answers to this sudden and intense wave of daily discomfort.
