While many northern Virginia residents eagerly await the first signs of spring, the budding trees and growing grass can mean a season of sneezing and wheezing for millions of allergy sufferers.

Spring allergies, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis, affect as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children. Common symptoms include:

Sneezing

Stuffy or runny nose

Sore throat

Itchy or watery eyes

Fatigue

If you’re asthma is triggered by allergies, you also may have symptoms of wheezing, a tight feeling in your chest, difficulty breathing or coughing.  These symptoms are typically caused by pollen from trees and grasses.  

When and wherever possible, avoid the things that trigger your
allergies. Here are some tips:

Keep windows closed during pollen season, especially during the day.

Stay inside during mid-day and afternoon hours when pollen counts are highest.

Take a shower, wash hair and change clothing after working or playing outdoors.

Wear a mask when doing outside chores like mowing the lawn. Your allergist can help you find the type of mask that works best.

Unfortunately, for some of us, these allergies are more than just a nuisance. They are serious diseases and should be treated that way. In fact, more than two-thirds of spring allergy sufferers actually have year-round allergies.

There’s no reason for you to suffer

Your allergist can work with you to find out what offending allergies trigger your symptoms and discuss treatments to put the spring back into your steps. 

There are many effective medications that can help to ease allergy and asthma symptoms. However, for those who have significant symptoms despite medications, or who prefer not to take medications on a regular basis, a very preferable way to treat spring allergies is through allergy shots, also called immunotherapy. 

These shots slowly introduce a little bit of what you are allergic to so your body learns to tolerate it, rather than react with sneezing, wheezing, a stuffy nose or itchy eyes. If you are suffering from spring allergies, speak with your doctor about these options.