Gateway Reporter

• 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 is upon us and that means trees and flowers are starting to bloom, along with allergies.

The period of time from February up until early summer is classified as spring allergy season. Common triggers are tree pollen early in the spring season and grass pollen later on in the season, according to the Flonase website. More-than-usual rain during the spring can lead to faster plant growth, which can escalate the growth of mold spores.

Those affected by seasonal allergies can take precautions, such as monitoring the pollen count and showering after coming inside. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians can also offer treatments such as allergy drops or shots.

For the 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, treatments can make a world of difference. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, a runny nose and fatigue, according to Yale Medicine.

“In the thick of spring allergy season, seasonal allergy sufferers might be wondering about testing or treatment options,” said Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Gateway Reporters.

Those who decide to test for allergies typically have two options. One option is a skin prick test, during which a doctor inserts a tiny amount of potential allergens under the skin of the patient's upper arm. The skin will become red and swollen if the patient has an allergy, and patients typically have their results within one to two days.

The other option is a blood test, during which the patient's blood is drawn and tested for allergens in a lab. Although this testing method takes longer to produce results, it allows doctors to test for more allergens than a skin test.

“The techniques have gotten more patient-friendly, less invasive. In skin testing now, the needles that are used are very tiny and tolerated extremely well,” Khanna said. “Patients barely feel the prick, and whether it's on their shoulder or on their back area, that's tolerated well, relatively fast. Patients just have to be off their antihistamine medications for 10 days prior, and that is probably more the issue with patients, as opposed to the actual discomfort from the procedure itself. In that case, then we send patients for what's called ImmunoCAP or RAST testing. It's a blood test to look for allergens as well, but the preferred method really is to test the patient directly and to do skin testing, which again, is tolerated very well and it's relatively fast."

To minimize spring allergy symptoms, Mayo Clinic recommends staying indoors on dry, windy days when pollen is more likely to be spreading. Allergy sufferers can also try an over-the-counter remedy, such as oral decongestants, antihistamines or nasal sprays. If those solutions don't ease the allergy symptoms, alternative treatments such as allergy shots or immunotherapy could provide relief.

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