Blooming flowers and budding branches mean spring is in the air, and so is pollen. It's a seasonal battle Baltimore County mom, Regina Kroll knows all too well.
"Ever since he was six-months old he's been having this coughing and sneezing problem, and then when we take him to the doctors they say no it's not the common cold, they say its allergies," she said.
Now almost five, her son, Ryder, relies on prescription meds and an inhaler for relief. He even got the tell-tale sniffles and cough back in December when temps were in the 60s.
"The past couple years, with the weather changing so oddly, it's definitely been a lot more, a lot stronger, a lot worse," said Kroll.
Experts say for the last few years the allergy season has started earlier and lasted longer with higher pollen counts, and this year is no exception. Normally trees release their pollen in early spring, but because of the mild winter it started back in February.
Doctor Alvin Sanico, Medical Director for the GMBC Asthma, Sinus, Allergy Program says we could be in for a brutal allergy season.
"When the weather is really warm and windy that's when the pollen counts really go up," he said.
He says sufferers should try to minimize exposure to pollen, and it's a good idea to start taking your meds now.
"If you are allergic to pollen you can anticipate worsening of your symptoms, it can range from just nasal congestion, some runny nose, post nasal drip, some sneezing, maybe itchy, watery eyes,” Dr. Sanico said. “If you have asthma, be prepared to start experiencing symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, or chest tightness."
If you want to find out what's causing your sneezing and runny nose, getting tested for allergies is quick and easy.
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