ALLERGY SEASON COMES EARLY DUE TO UNUSUALLY MILD WINTER
The “winter that wasn’t” in conjunction with a warm March could deliver
one of the strongest allergy season’s we’ve seen in quite some time.
“The warmer weather approaching melting the snow contributes to an increase of mold
spores, this followed by an early release of pollen could deliver a very strong, and long, allergy season”,
said Dr. Zachary, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Midwest Allergy & Asthma in Eagan, Burnsville, and Maplewood MN.
As a rule Dr. Zachary recommends for patients with yearly seasonal allergies to start taking their
medications by St. Patrick’s Day; this often helps her patients to circumvent allergy symptoms
altogether. This year is no exception and with our recent warm up Dr. Zachary is already seeing
patients for allergy symptoms.
“Usually the upsurge in allergy symptoms starts in late April”, she said. “However, in the last week we
have seen an increase in the number of people with various complaints of a runny nose; sneezing;
nasal congestion; itchy eyes, ears and throat; and wheezing” Zachary said.
Conditions could change to make this allergy season more manageable. For example a rainy spring
would wash the pollen out of the air. But dry, windy, warm days make things worse.
In addition to taking your allergy medications at the start of symptoms or before, Dr. Zachary also
suggests some simple precautions, to reduce your exposure to pollen.
Keeping windows closed and turning on the air conditioner helps to keep pollen out of the indoor air.
Showering and changing clothes following work outdoors is also helpful.
It is important for allergy sufferers to be aware that this March could be the start of a very strong and
long pollen season. Taking steps to reduce pollen exposure and treat your symptoms through your
allergy medications before they start will help individuals to avoid the pitfalls of their allergy symptoms
and enjoy this beautiful weather.