We’ve barely worn our hats and gloves, let alone our puffy down coats. We’re saving money by turning down the thermostats, enjoying long walks in the unseasonable warmth with our families, basking in the unexpectedly balmy temperatures. our snow shovels and giant bags of salt and sand stand at the ready, but have been sadly neglected. All of these are wonderful, welcome effects of this year’s unusually mild winter.

Personally, I’ve been thrilled not to be freezing my you-know-what off out there, shoveling snow off my walk and digging out my car. (Remember last year’s endless blizzards?) And I’ve even managed to escape (so far, at least) catching my usual winter cold. But from a health perspective, there’s actually a downside to all of those remarkably unfrosty winter days: Allergies. (Sniff-sniff!)

Allergy season across the U.S. is starting earlier this year, and it’s likely going to last longer, too, MSNBC reports. And if you — like me — don’t usually get seasonal allergies, well, don’t get too smug! The milder winter means a longer growing season, which means more pollen in the air, which means it might affect people who don’t usually find themselves sneezy and itchy and wheezy in the springtime. Ugh … then again, even if I do get a few allergic symptoms (and suddenly my throat is feeling a little scratchy), I still think, in the end, it’s totally worth it. After all, just think how much healthier we are for not staying huddled inside all winter long! Whoo-hoo! Ah-choo! And pass the tissues, please. Do you think allergies are a fair price to pay for a mild winter?

Image via jfl1066/Flickr