The following is a post from guest blogger Scott Stringfield, MD, associate director of the Via Christi Family Medicine Residency Program.
It’s that time again.
With the unseasonably warm weather to enjoy, the allergy sufferers among us will also perhaps suffer a little more and a little sooner as the plants around us are starting to bud out and allergens will soon be in the air.
If you are someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, you will want to start your preventative treatments sooner than normal (or at least when your symptoms begin to start up again).
If you have allergies that seem to be seasonal and have no preventative treatments, you should consider seeing your primary care physician and perhaps getting this explored and clarified so you can fully enjoy Kansas’ great spring weather that is predicted to be heading our way soon.
There are many options for allergies from over-the-counter medications that are quite effective (mostly various anti-histamines), to prescription medications for the more difficult to control cases (more potent combination anti-histamine/decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, and other immune suppressants).
So, enjoy the spring, but expect some congestion, sneezing, and the watery, itching eyes that sometimes come with it. However, with proper treatment, you should have great days of warmth, sunshine and the beautiful colors and growth of spring.
