Spring has officially begun, bringing warmer weather — and allergy season. CHRISTUS Health is providing tips for relieving pesky allergy symptoms as flowers bloom and trees release pollen.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of Americans, or about 80 million people, suffer from seasonal allergies, which range from mild discomfort to severe reactions.

“Allergy symptoms can persist year-round depending on where you live,” said Dr. Susan Kemp, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. “The key is to take a proactive approach to managing symptoms before they worsen.”

Kemp recommends starting a nasal steroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex, or an antihistamine such as Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec early in allergy season.

“One of the biggest challenges we see is distinguishing between allergy symptoms and a cold, as
they share congestion, sneezing, itchy throat and a runny nose,” Kemp said. “The key difference
is a cold usually includes a fever and resolves in a few days, whereas allergy symptoms can persist much longer.”

For milder symptoms, Kemp said over-the-counter treatments such as nasal corticosteroids, saline rinses, local honey and decongestants can provide relief but if you take medication for chronic conditions, check with your provider to make sure what you use is safe. 

“Anyone experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms that significantly impact daily activities should consult a health care provider,” Kemp said. “Allergy season can feel never ending, but our goal is to help patients find the relief they need.”