Pollen season arrives in Middle TN

Davis Nolan
·1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – If your nose has been runny, or you have itchy eyes or congestion, you may be suffering from the tree pollen that is prevalent during spring time in this part of the country.

How weather patterns affect allergy season

(Photo: WKRN)
(Photo: WKRN)

Doctors at the Vanderbilt Allergy, Asthma, and Sinus Center said they are already seeing lots of patients.

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“Spring is here and we’re seeing a lot of seasonal allergies, starting already, and it just seems to get worse throughout March, April, and May with the tree pollen season,” explained Dr. Megan Stauffer, a Vanderbilt board-certified allergist. “This time of the year, there is a lot of stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, just overall not feeling well because they’re so congested, and just feeling super itchy and stuffy.”

Tree pollen is the main culprit during the spring months, but grass pollen takes over as we get into the summer. Finally, during the late summer and early fall, the weeds prevail, including ragweed.

So what can allergy doctors do for you?

“We start with allergy medications, over-the-counter anti-histamines, nose sprays like flonase, and if they’re really having lots of problems, then we do allergy testng and see if they’re a candidate for allergy shots,” Stauffer said.

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So if the pollen is a problem for you, it’s going to be a long summer if you don’t get relief.

It’s a long haul waiting for that first killing freeze, but it is something many of us have to deal with in this part of the country this time of the year.

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