Peak allergy season coming soon: How doctors say you can start protecting against them today
Allergy season is around the corner; however, we are already seeing allergens starting to return to the Miami Valley.
One local doctor told News Center 7′s Xavier Hershovitz, that we have yet to hit the peak allergy season. However, some in the Miami Valley have already experienced allergy-related symptoms.
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“We’re ready for allergy season— it’s always a busy time here in our office,” Dr. David Morris, board-certified allergist, Division Chief Of Allergy & Immunology Dayton Children’s Hospital, said
Morris warns, “Once the allergens get high in the air— you’re kind of playing from behind.”
Doctors have recommended that those that suffer from seasonal allergies start taking medicine now.
“Start your medications early and get control of your symptoms early on so they don’t become a problem. Although at the peak of the allergy season, a lot of my patients would argue their symptoms become really bad anyway— but not as bad as they would have been if they started medicine late,” said Morris.
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Morris recommends taking preventive measures such as wiping off your face after being outside and wearing sunglasses help prevent allergens from entering your eyes, causing them to become itchy and watery.
“Sometimes when pollen is really really high— perhaps you limit your outdoor activities on those really peak days,” said Moris
Not only are some experiencing seasonal allergies, but cold and flu season is still here. Often, it is hard for people to know the difference between allergies, colds, and the flu because the symptoms are often the same, and it can be hard to tell the difference.
“I tell them to first look at their symptoms,” said Morris.
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A runny nose can be either a cold or allergies, but if a person has a fever and body aches, those are signs of a cold, and watery and itchy eyes are signs of allergies, Morris told News Center 7.
“Cold will typically last 7 to 10 days, and you’ll start to feel better. Allergy season is a couple months — 8 weeks, 10 weeks of symptoms,” said Morris.
For parents who are looking for help battling seasonal allergies with their children, Morris says, “start with that primary care contact — discuss it with them and often they can recommend appropriate medications for the age of your child.”
