During a pandemic, the last thing you want to worry about is sneezing and coughing. Allergy symptoms such as watery eyes and stuffy nose, along with sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and hives worsen during spring and summer. This period, known as allergy season, usually begins in early March. Although this may seem far away, it’s important to start preparing for allergy season early. Preparing now can help ease your symptoms throughout the season.
What Allergens Cause Symptoms During Allergy Season?
Those with allergies in the spring and summer are typically allergic to pollen that begins to appear in the air. These pollen allergens include:
- Tree pollen – early March
- Grass pollen – May
- Weed pollen – July
- Ragweed pollen – August
Many parts of the country begin to see tree pollen beginning in February. In the latter part of allergy season, grass pollen will emerge along with tree pollen, and the combination can make warmer weather a miserable time for allergy sufferers. As temperatures rise, allergy season may begin earlier and last longer.
How To Prepare For Allergy Season 2021
Get Allergy Tested Now
If you’ve never been allergy tested for seasonal allergies, now is a great time to do it. An allergy test takes just minutes and can confirm your allergies to help determine a treatment plan. Book an appointment at NY Allergy & Sinus Centers to begin allergy testing today.
Track Pollen Levels Each Morning
Since tree and grass pollen are the main allergy culprits during spring and summer, it’s best to track their pollen levels each morning. You can view the local pollen count near you on nyallergy.com. Tracking the days when the pollen count is at its highest can help you plan accordingly.
Wear Your Mask
Wearing a mask outdoors can help prevent pollen from entering the nose and mouth. It is also essential for staying safe during COVID times. However, if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should get tested and quarantine away from others. You can get an in-office nasal swab COVID test at NY Allergy & Sinus Centers. Just call (212) 686-6321 to book a telehealth appointment with one of our board-certified allergists.
Begin Allergy Treatment Now
It’s essential to begin allergy treatment before allergy season begins. We recommend starting allergy immunotherapy now to ease symptoms during allergy season. While it usually takes at least six months to start feeling better from allergy immunotherapy, some patients recorded improvement sooner. Along with your daily allergy medications, allergy immunotherapy can help you feel better faster. For more information about this allergy treatment, contact NY Allergy & Sinus Centers today. You can beat allergy season this year!