If you've been sniffling and sneezing recently, you may be feeling some of the effects of tree pollen. Unfortunately, experts say your symptoms are likely to get worse in the coming days.
"I am going to ask you to open your mouth wide and then a loud ahhh," Allergist doctor Aidan Long said.
Anita Carew is taking a break from her job as a nurse in the neo-natal intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital to see allergist, Doctor Aidan Long.
Her allergies are acting up. It's a problem she's suffered with most of her life.
"My eyes have been red and puffy, watery all day long," Carew said.
In New England, there are three allergy seasons.
Tree pollen is in April and usually lasts 4-5 weeks. Immediately following that is grass pollen, which lasts about 4-5 weeks. Then at the end of the summer from mid August through September, ragweed pollen is in the air.
Because of the unseasonably cold temperatures allergy season is off to a late start. This means the tree and grass pollens may overlap and cause big problems for allergy suffers.
"There will appear to be a sudden onset of allergy season just as soon as it warms up, another 2-3 days or maybe next week," Dr. Long said.
Allergy symptoms may affect your eyes. They can become watery, itch or be red and puffy. Your nose can also feel the effects with sneezing or a runny, itchy nose, and some people feel the symptoms in their chest with coughing or wheezing.
Dr. Long says treatment varies from over the counter to prescription medications depending on the severity.
What's important is that you get help.
"It's not necessary for people to suffer with allergies. We have such good treatments that are so effective that you can lead a completely normal, even outdoor, life," Dr. Long said.
It's good to remember that pollen counts are usually highest in the morning.
So if you suffer from seasonal allergies you may want to avoid doing a lot of things like exercising or gardening at that time.
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