MOLINE, Ill. — Allergy season is in full bloom and the joys of warm weather sometimes come with a price for those with seasonal allergies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2021, nearly one in three U.S. Adults and one in four U.S. Children reported having seasonal allergies.
Some of the most common symptoms include sneezing, a runny or congested nose, and itchy eyes, nose and throat. News 8's Charles Hart spoke with Allergist with Medical Arts Professionals Ltd. Dr. Mark Blaser who said tree pollen is the biggest cause of seasonal allergies right now. He said it's as the trees begin to pollinate and the leaves come out.
Blaser said as we get into the summer months, grass pollen will become more frequent.
"So if you're allergic to trees, but not grasses, it's early spring," Blaser said.
"If you're allergic to ragweed, it's August but not earlier in the summer. So some people are allergic to everything and then the quietest month for them would be July."
Blaser said one easy, less fun way to cope with allergies is to limit your time outside. He also said running your furnace fan through your filter can help screen out pollen. Blaser said you can also take over-the-counter medicine like nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, eyedrops, or even allergy injections to help put those allergy symptoms at bay.
To figure out what best U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved seasonal allergy medications are best for you, click/tap here.
According to Lawn Love, If you're looking to escape your seasonal allergies with a summer vacation, the best places to look are seaside destinations with sandy beaches.
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