How to deal with allergies in the spring time

(CNN) — Tomorrow (Thursday, March 20th) is the first day of spring and whether warm temps greet you or you have a chill in the air – allergy season is fast approaching. Martha shade gives us some tips on how allergy sufferers can manage this time of year.

Springtime may bring beautiful flowers, green grass, and budding trees, but for allergy suffers it can mean weeks of feeling lousy from the pollen.

“I typically wake up in the morning, have a kind of scratchy throat, my sinuses are filled up, and a lot of times my eyes are swollen and red,” explains allergy patient Winnie Wright.

Allergy medicine may help many with mild to moderate symptoms.

“If you’re suffering from runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes I will recommend an antihistamine med for your symptoms. But if nasal congestion is an issue then it’s a decongestant that may be more helpful,” says Dr. Erinn Gardner of the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

And if you think ahead and start these meds before you even experience symptoms, you may keep them away or reduce their severity.

When these efforts don’t seem to be helping it may be time for allergy shots.

“Allergy shots are nice in that they help you build an immunity to the things you’re allergic to, so that over time, we see a decrease in symptoms,” explains Dr. Gardenr

It can also help to keep the windows closed and the ac on to reduce your exposure to the pollen. Another tip, take a shower when you get in if you’ve been outdoors for a while. This will wash away excess pollen.

And unfortunately adults can develop allergies even when they had none as children.

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March 19, 2014
brproud.com