TUCSON, Ariz. — Spring is here, but which means trees, weeds, and wildflowers are blowing all over Southern Arizona. It may be a beautiful time of year, but it also means seasonal allergies are here.
Pollen is an airborne allergen, picked up from the wind from various trees, grasses and winds. According to Pollen.com,pollen is one of the most common allergens in the United States. Over 67 million suffer from allergies, and 81% of them said it's because they're allergic to pollen.
Allergy symptoms include:
- sneezing
- nasal
- congestion
- coughing
- itchy, watery eyes
- runny nose
- itchy throat
- stomach ache
- itchy skin
- hives
Allergies can start to show more if there is a recent change in weather like rain, wind or temperature drop. In Tucson, there has been a lot more recent rain then usual, and according to Sara Kusar, a Nurse Practitioner Banner Health, causing a lot of people to get allergies.
Depending on symptoms, Kusar said there are ways to treat the allergies.
"If it's respiratory, and they're having a hard time breathing, definitely urgent care, ER, or their doctor," Kusar said. "For nasal congestion, you can try first taking some antihistamines and see if that works."
Even though some of these symptoms are similar to the common cold or flu, she said the way that you treat them is different.
"If someone is running a fever, that usually is the difference between allergies and an illness," Kusar said. "If they catch the illness, influenza especially, in the first 24, 48 hours we can order some Theraflu and shorten the duration and intensity of symptoms."
If someone is unsure of what they may have, Kusar advises to go see a doctor.
