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Online allergy searches more frequently targeted nasal allergies

Online searches for allergy terminology focused on specific target organs compared with general terms, with nasal-related symptoms searched more commonly than ocular terms, according to study results.

Researchers examined weekly pollen counts (grains or spores per cubic meter of air measured by Rotorod, IMS Health) in the New Jersey-New York metropolitan area from 2010 to 2011 and compared them with a Google Insights-generated search of volume trends for allergy-related terms. Allergic rhinitis, nasal allergy, allergic conjunctivitis, eye allergy, ocular allergy, pollen allergy, hay fever and rose fever were search terms for the total US population.

Search volume for nasal terms, ocular terms and general allergy terms (hay fever, rose fever and pollen allergy) were combined, and ratios for each category were compared.

All search terms peaked in late March through early May, which corresponded to peak tree pollen. Allergic rhinitis and nasal allergy terms increased beginning in March and peaked through April. Search volume for ocular terms increased in April and peaked in April and May. General allergy terms searches increased in late March and crested in April and May.

Pollen counts for specific tree species were compared and statistical correlations (P<.05) were identified in search trends for Acer, Betula, Pinaceae and Quercus.

“Weak correlation was found for Ulmus and nasal terms (P=.02) and no significant correlation was found for ocular and general terms,” the researchers said.

There was a large peak for grass pollen in early June, followed by a lesser peak in September, which corresponded to peak weed pollen and “second grass season.” Grass pollen and ocular terms were weakly correlated (P=.047), while nasal and general terms had no significant correlation.

“The ratio of search volume for nasal terms to ocular terms was higher in early peak pollen season, with nasal terms predominating throughout March,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.