(WKYT) Those tired of the heat may have another reason to look forward to the first hard freeze. Pollen levels are currently high, due in part to this summer’s weather.
Kristen Evans is a nurse practitioner at Bluegrass Allergy Care. She says the clinic has had an uptick in patients with allergy symptoms over the past month.
“We’ve had kind of an earlier start to this season than what’s typical this time of year,” said Evans. “Right now, ragweed is the main, the primary driving factor for allergies.”
Evans attributed the early and heightened allergy season to weather conditions.
“We’ve had so much rain and these hot temperatures and the high humidity, too, have just led to the plant growth and then pollen growth because of that,” Evans said.
Allergy symptoms can include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny or stuffy nose. Evans said most patients with asthma have more issues when the pollen count is high.
Allergies or a cold?
Fall allergy season coincides with the start of cold and flu season, making it important to track symptoms.
“Some of those symptoms with a cold, more of a fever accompanied with it, more of an infection there would indicate more of a cold or illness,” Evans said. “A lot of times with allergies, too, you’ll see just a repeat pattern, too, where they’ll have a seasonal correlation where they experience the same symptoms like last year at the same time.”
Tips to limit symptoms
Evans recommended the following to limit allergy symptoms:
- Keep windows closed
- Run air conditioning
- Wear a mask outdoors
- Plan outdoor activities for times when pollen counts are lower, typically later in the evening, since pollen counts tend to rise between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Shower and change clothes after spending extensive time outdoors to remove pollen
- Wipe off or bathe pets that go outdoors to remove pollen from their fur
If these tips are not enough, and over-the-counter antihistamines or corticosteroid nasal sprays do not help with symptom relief, it may be time to see an allergist.
“Some people get sick often from allergies, have frequent sinus infections, or if, you know, symptoms are kind of cyclical in nature, you notice, okay, every spring or fall season you’re having those symptoms present, or if they’re present throughout the year,” said Evans. “Seeking allergy treatment, too, can be beneficial to see what you’re allergic to. And then if there are further steps you can take, like allergy injections to help mitigate symptoms.”
Pollen levels tend to decrease around the time flu levels increase in the winter months, while indoor allergens are an issue year-round. Evans recommends checking the National Allergy Bureau website for accurate information on pollen levels.