North Panhandle News

• In the spring, seasonal allergies are typically triggered by tree pollen and grass.
• Allergy sufferers can take precautions, such as monitoring the pollen count and showering after coming inside.
• ENT physicians offer treatments like allergy drops or shots.

Spring allergy season is here, and that means sniffles, sneezing and a pounding headache for many. 

Those suffering from seasonal allergies probably wonder about testing and treatment options, and Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers says that allergy testing has advanced to the point where he can test patients for dozens of allergies at one time.

“[Allergy testing] has definitely changed over the last 10 years. Now we're able to test 30 to 40 allergens all at once,” Blair told North Panhandle News. “We really look at all the different ones to see what you react to." 

According to the Flonase website, spring allergy season can begin as early as February and last through the beginning of the summer. Common triggers tend to be tree pollen in the early spring and then grass pollen later on. If there are periods of more rain than usual, plants can grow faster and can cause an increase in mold spores.

Yale Medicine reports that about 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies and often have symptoms including sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, a runny nose and fatigue. People who need to get tested for allergies essentially have two options. One is to get a skin prick test, which is when a doctor inserts a small amount of potential allergens under the skin of the patient’s upper arm. The skin becomes red and swollen if the patient has an allergy. Patients will normally get results back within a day or two.

Another option is a blood test, where the patient’s blood is drawn and tested for allergens in a lab. This testing takes longer, but allows for doctors to test for more allergens than the skin test.

Mayo Clinic recommends staying indoors on dry and windy days -- when pollen is more likely to be spreading -- to minimize symptoms. Allergy sufferers should also shower after coming indoors to remove pollen from the skin. Also, check the local news or internet for the pollen count so you can plan on when to keep windows shut or stay indoors.

Allergy sufferers can benefit from over-the-counter medications and remedies, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays and oral decongestants. If these solutions don’t ease the symptoms, you can try allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy at an ENT clinic like Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

To learn more about the symptoms of allergies and sinusitis, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.