Expert allergist provides insight and tips to control allergies this season
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)—Assistant professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and expert allergist with Carilion Clinic Rebecca Schapira, D.O. has provided insight into detecting early allergy symptoms and its impact on overall health.
Schapira says allergy season is starting earlier than usual, with those who experience symptoms likely beginning to experience them around now. “Our shifting climate has brought us an earlier start to spring. This means earlier tree pollination and therefore earlier development of allergy symptoms,” said Schapira. “Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, and itchy or watery eyes are common symptoms.”
Schapira advises to begin taking over-the-counter medicines, such as steroid nasal sprays, as first-line treatment for patients over the age of four. For the best effect, she encourages to begin taking these medications around a month before allergy symptoms begin.
For people with more severe allergy symptoms, Schapira suggests seeing a local allergist.
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“It is important to know what seasonal allergens you are allergic to,” said Schapira, “Testing can help identify your allergens, and then your allergist can work with you to individually tailor medications and develop a plan to help you stay outside.”
Although seasonal allergies can often be similar to a cold, it is important to understand the difference between the two to ensure proper care is issued.
“Environmental allergies are symptoms triggered by your immune system’s response to pollen or other allergens. These reactions are typically reproducible, and therefore predictable. Symptoms often last for several weeks,” she said. “On the other hand, a cold is due to a viral illness encountered by the immune system and is often accompanied by similar symptoms as environmental allergies but may also be accompanied by a fever. Symptoms often last 1-2 weeks and then resolve.”
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