Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - As the temperature warms, doctors are reporting more people suffering from allergies. The tree pollen count is especially high among juniper, poplar, and maple trees.
The surge in allergens is making some Central New Yorkers uncomfortable and keeping local allergists busy.
More and more people are coming into Allergy Asthma Rheumatology Associates to see Dr. Harcharan Singh. They are all complaining of typical spring-time symptoms.
“For the past weeks, our patients have noticed an increase in allergy symptoms…runny nose, sneezing, eyes, asthma problems, rashes,” Singh said.
One way to evade allergy symptoms is avoiding bushes and trees, but that isn’t always an easy thing to do.
“Sometimes, it’s not possible to reduce exposure if the trees are budding,” Singh said. “You can’t live in a bubble. You have to be outdoors, but you can reduce it a little and take meds before going out. That may help as well.”
Doctors use a combination approach when treating patients including such options as changing habits, using different treatments at different times, or shots and other methods. There are also reasonably effective over-the-counter methods.
There are several groups of medical treatments available. Singh recommends that people use the variety that does not cause drowsiness.
Experts predict that this allergy season will be 27 days longer than normal.
The
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s website provides information on pollen levels.
