Spring is in the air, and unfortunately, so is pollen.

“If you have itchy, watery eyes and find yourself sneezing, you may be one of the millions of people suffering from seasonal allergies,” says Ear, Nose and Throat specialist Meredith Sellix, PA-C, who will be seeing patients at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon when it opens in June 2022. “The good news is that you don’t have to suffer.”

With lots of options available, there is no reason to let allergy symptoms interfere with your everyday life.

“There are a lot of great over-the-counter medications to relieve your allergy symptoms,” says Keith Pritchyk, MD, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist with Delta Medix Allergy Center.

Is it allergies or something more?

It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between allergies and a cold (or even COVID-19). Pritchyk stresses the importance of testing for COVID-19 if you are unsure, but says there are a few signs that can help you determine if what you are experiencing is allergy-related.

“Allergies can cause symptoms similar to COVID-19 and colds like fatigue, headache, sore throat and congestion,” Pritchyk says. “The biggest difference is that allergies can cause itchy, watery eyes. Allergies also don’t cause fevers or shortness of breath.”

Another sign of seasonal allergies is having recurring symptoms (like sneezing, nasal congestion, fatigue or itchy, watery eyes) the same time each year.

You can also develop allergies at any stage of life, even if you have not had them before.

Controlling your allergy symptoms

While your first instinct may be to run for the allergy aisle at the nearest pharmacy, there are other options.

“Avoidance of allergies is the first line of treatment,” Pritchyk says. “It’s best to close your windows, wash your face and clothing when you come indoors, wear a face mask when cutting grass and try an air purifier with a HEPA filter.”

If that fails, it’s time to try medication. Pritchyk recommends nasal steroids as the first line of therapy, and if symptoms persist, he suggests adding an over-the-counter antihistamine.

The amount of time you need to be on allergy medication will depend on the type of allergies you have.

“If your allergies are specific to a certain season, you should take your allergy medication until the season is over,” Pritchyk says. “However, if you have perennial allergies, which are chronic, you should take your medication all year or as long as you are exposed to the allergen.”

If your symptoms persist despite all other efforts, Pritchyk says it is time to make an appointment with an allergist.

“An allergist will go over your medical history and medications. They may also recommend an allergy test to see what specific allergens are causing your symptoms,” he says. “If medications are not controlling your symptoms or you cannot tolerate the medications, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy. This treatment is the only way to potentially cure allergy symptoms.”

To learn more about allergies and your treatment options, visit LVHN.org/conditions/allergies.