WASHINGTON – Spring has arrived, along with 60-degree weather, so it’s not surprising that many people are feeling their allergies kick in. Allergists say if you haven’t already, start treating now.
Dr. Rachel Schreiber, an allergist in Rockville, Maryland, says that’s because the worst is yet to come.
“Oak trees in our area account for 50 percent of the tree pollen, and we haven’t even started with the oak trees yet,” Schreiber says.
Many allergy sufferers don’t want to start taking medicine before they have to, but Schreiber says now is the time.
“What happens with the allergic cascade is, once the inflammatory process starts it’s harder to reign it in then to start with medication at the beginning of the season,” Schreiber says.
She suggests seeing your doctor, but also trying natural remedies like a neti pot or simply wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes from pollen.
“It creates a barrier between you and the pollen world,” she says.
Take off what you can when you get home so you’re not tracking pollen inside the house.
Common symptoms are an itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing. But kids’ allergies can present differently.
“In kids, we see a lot of eye symptoms: itchy, runny, swollen, watery eyes,” she says.
