Can you stop sneezing long enough to read this story?

Consider yourself lucky if you can. It’s the start of allergy season, when beautiful sunny days are tempered by an onslaught of pollen.

And this season carries news that allergy symptoms, such as watery eyes and a runny nose, might worsen.

If unchecked, global warming will worsen respiratory allergies for about 25 million Americans, according to a new study by the National Wildlife Federation.

The study said extended stretches of warm weather bring longer growing seasons, creating bigger ragweed plants that will produce more pollen late into the fall.

The really bad news wrapped inside that bad news: The study claims New Hampshire is one of several states at risk of seeing a large increase in allergenic tree pollen.

That’s not the sort of thing Denise Green wants to hear. The Merrimack resident settled into a lawn chair on the east side of Greeley Park on Tuesday morning hoping to evade a case of the sneezes.

Green suffers from allergies, squinting through watery eyes and sneezing like millions of other sufferers.

But this spring, she will try a new line of attack: no allergy medication. She wants to see which allergens make her miserable. Green wants to know if grass, for instance, sets off her allergies much as goldenrod does.

As bold as Green’s strategy is, there are other ways to approach allergy season, according to Amit Kumar, an allergist at Southern New Hampshire Asthma & Allergy medical practice in Nashua.

Over-the-counter and prescription medicines are helpful, as are allergy shots, Kumar said. A nasal spray and nasal wash can also alleviate symptoms, he said.

But allergy sufferers should also consider simple preventative steps that can go a long way in lessening the blow of allergies, Kumar said. Those steps include:

Close windows at night and instead run an air conditioner to keep the room cool and dry.

Minimize time outdoors between 5 to 10 a.m., when pollen is at its peak.

Avoid cutting grass, raking leaves and compost heaves if sensitive to mold.

Bleach moldy areas, and keep humidity in the house low with an air filtration machine.

Vacuum the house, change and wash bed sheets and covers, and dust at least once a week.

Prime allergens are tree pollen in the spring, grass in the summer and ragweed in the fall, Kumar said, but people also have to be wary of perennial triggers such as dust mites, mold and pet dander.

Contrary to popular belief, flower pollen is too large to cause nasal allergies, Kumar said.

Pollen from trees and grass, however, are fine particles and can infiltrate the nose, he said.

Many people also suffer from seasonal asthma, but the key to controlling it is to minimize nasal problems, Kumar said.

Not everyone has to worry. Pam Rainey joined Green for relaxation at Greeley Park and was glad to reveal she doesn’t have allergies.

Trevor Hartness, who played in the park with his young daughter, also doesn’t have an outdoor problem. But one member of his family isn’t as lucky: Jack the German shepherd.

A veterinarian determined Jack is allergic to ragweed. The dog develops itchy eyes and bumpy skin if he doesn’t get a dose of a steroid.

Albert McKeon can be reached at 594-5832 or amckeon@nashuatelegraph.com.