text: has anyone ever had allergies get worse when their ac is on? (mine is brand new and i'm worse when it's on!) i'm allergic to pollen (found out this year) and always thought air conditoners were supposed to help with allergies. but as soon as i turn my ac on (i've tried 2 different ac's just in case, and they all have been brand new), my eyes start to itch, as does my throat and i have trouble breathing. when it's off, no matter how hot it gets, i feel somewhat better. does this happen with anyone else? am i doing something wrong? i can't have my room be 90 degrees all summer... :-( the problem could be the formaldehyde in the plastics of the ac units... try letting it run a few times all day long while you are gone to work or school or someplace...   the new in your ac should go away sooner or later so that you can stand to be in the same room with it...  another idea- try changing the filter - the one that came on it may be full of lint and dust from shipping  good luck-  susan