Bless you! Spring allergies are coming in early and strong

Spring has sprung in our nasal passages. Experts say tree pollen is already high this spring following our unusually warm winter.

Dr. Neal Godse with the University of Minnesota Medical School is predicting a bad year for seasonal allergies.

"This year, I'm recommending pretty uniformly that people who have seasonal allergies start their medicines early, in a preventative fashion," Godse says.

Symptoms include congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes. If untreated, it can lead to other problems like fatigue, difficulty with focus and poor sleep.

Godse says other plants that cause spring allergies didn't freeze over this winter and are coming in early.

"We didn't have a deep cold this winter, and so a lot of the plants that make our common springtime allergies, they didn't freeze over," said Godse. "They're blooming early and blooming quite strong."

According to Godse, if you're struggling with allergies, start taking an antihistamine and a topical steroid spray on a daily basis. It's best to start it a few weeks before their allergy season begins to allow the medicine to build up in the lining of the nose and prevent the allergic inflammation from even starting.

"When symptoms persist despite these initial medicines, it may be worthwhile to seek evaluation to see whether our more advanced allergy treatment options may be beneficial," Godse explains.

According to pollen.com , allergy levels are in the high category for much of the Upper Midwest, into the Ohio River Valley and into the East Coast. The bulk of the rest of the U.S. is in medium-high. Looking for relief? You'll have to head to the Pacific Northwest.