What you need to know with allergy season in full bloom

Alexa Harley
·1 min read

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — With the spring season in full bloom, that also means allergy season is upon us.

One of the major causes of allergy symptoms is pollen. The tiny grains and seeds from flowers and trees blow through the wind and can mess with the sinuses.

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According to the CDC, people prone to hay fever can suffer from sneezing, coughing and runny nose from breathing in that pollen.

Also, exposure to pollen can cause asthma attacks.

But, there are ways to combat some of these symptoms.

  • checking your local forecasts if you plan to spend time outdoors.

  • Don’t touch your eyes when you are outside, and wash your hands when you go back inside.

  • Also when you get home, change your clothes.

  • Keep your windows closed during pollen season.

  • Make sure in your homes, you have high-efficiency filters in your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC).

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Per the CDC, about 1 in 3 adults and more than 1 in 4 children in the U.S. have reported symptoms. That data is from 2021, but those numbers have stayed steady over the years.

Some of the common allergy symptoms are sneezing, congestion and runny nose.

Now there are things you can do to combat symptoms, including both at-home remedies and over-the-counter options.

You can take an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec or Allegra. You can also use a nasal spray as a symptom reliever and rinse your sinuses.

If the store or home remedies are not enough, you can talk to your healthcare provider for something a little stronger.

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