Allergy season expected to be severe this year; what you can do to get some relief

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO/CBS Newspath/WKRC) – Allergy season is upon us, and this year is expected to be particularly challenging. One in four people deal with seasonal allergies annually, and this season is shaping up to be especially tough.

Debbie Brotz, an allergy sufferer, described her symptoms: “Some sneezy, watery eyes, itchy eyes.”

Andy Mitchell, another allergy sufferer, added, “Runny, stuffy nose, neck itching a little bit.”

Dr. Pramod Kelkar, an allergist at Allina Health Woodbury, explained that fall allergies are primarily caused by ragweed. “We have a lot of patients with ragweed allergies causing stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, red eye, even asthma can happen,” he said.

Dr. Kelkar noted that the summer weather has contributed to the severity of this fall’s allergy season. “We know we had more rain, could that mean intense allergies? Yes, because then you have double trouble, you have ragweed plus mold,” he said.

He also mentioned that activities like raking leaves could be particularly irritating this year. “Some people take over-the-counter antihistamines like Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin before they mow their lawn or rake the leaves. They might wear a mask and, most importantly, they will take a shower after they work or rake in the garden,” Dr. Kelkar advised.

To prevent allergies, Dr. Kelkar recommended daily sinus rinses or using a neti pot, and showering every evening to wash off allergens.

Doctors advise that if over-the-counter medications don’t provide relief, individuals should see their health provider. If that doesn’t work, consulting a specialist or allergist might be necessary, as treatments such as allergy shots could be an option.