(WBKO) -Spring does not officially begin until Friday, March 20, but allergy season is already underway.
According to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, more than one-quarter of U.S. adults and nearly one in five U.S. children suffer from seasonal allergies.
What triggers seasonal allergies
Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds can cause seasonal allergies. Jane Lacefield, a local pharmacist, said symptoms can change daily depending on what a person is exposed to.
“It depends on how severe your allergies are,” she said. “Sometimes people are allergic to one form of pollen but not the other. You know, sometimes they have to go to the doctor. Usually, the first thing if someone who has allergies I recommend is an over-the-counter antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin. And it just kind of helps calm your immune system down. And so your body just doesn’t react to it.”
Other recommended allergy products include Flonase or other inhaled steroids to help with nasal drainage.
Prevention is key, pharmacist says
Whether or not a person deals with seasonal allergies, Lacefield said, being proactive is important so steps can be taken early to prevent symptoms.
“It’s important to be proactive and know your body and know your health,” Lacefield said. “If you know every spring that you get a lot of headaches, or if your nose runs, you get a sore throat sometimes from the nasal drainage, it’s important to prevent that.”