Local allergist says mild winter conditions could bring more severe allergy symptoms this spring
YOUNGSTOWN - Spring has sprung, and for many of us, so has the allergy season.
Spending time outdoors during the warmer weather can inspire increased sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes.
It's an annual trend that the Asthma & Allergy Center's Dr. Asif Khan says is already appearing to be more severe for many patients this season than in years past, inspired by mild conditions in the winter time.
Above average temperatures and damp conditions like we've seen in the valley recently can inspire plants to begin producing pollen early, spelling disaster for those with sensitivities to environmental irritants.
"We're gonna see the trees blossoming and it's gonna be great for -- it'll be pretty, but there's going to be a lot of pollen out." Dr. Khan notes. "And that's translated into a lot of patients in our office for the last few weeks."
Dr. Khan says most allergies can be treated with over-the-counter options including nasal sprays and eye drops. But sometimes, drugstore options may not be powerful enough to tackle some symptoms.
"If those stop working and you've exhausted all of your other possibilities, that's probably the time you're going to want to come in and see an allergist," Dr. Khan recommends.