Tips on Managing Seasonal Allergies by a DC-area Doctor

Spring is in full swing, but along with blooming flowers and warmer weather, comes allergy season. Nearly 81 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, with early-season allergies often caused by pollen from trees such as oak, elm, birch, poplar, or maple. As summer approaches, new reactions to grasses and other plants may arise.

Meredith Porter, medical director of Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care, provides tips on navigating early-season allergies. Allergies occur when the body’s defense mechanism overreacts to foreign substances like pollen, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, coughing, and watery and itchy eyes.

In addition to over-the-counter medications, there are measures individuals can take to alleviate symptoms. These include checking daily pollen counts, minimizing outdoor time on high pollen days, keeping windows rolled up in the car, wearing glasses, using face masks during yard work, washing face, hands, clothes, and showering after outdoor activities.

If symptoms become severe, it is recommended to contact your primary care provider for testing. Stay updated with breaking news and daily headlines by signing up for email alerts on the WTOP website.

For more information on managing early-season allergies and staying informed about allergy season updates, visit the WTOP website. Copyright © 2024 WTOP. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.