Spring is here, and we all know what that means: allergies! It feels like so many people in the Tri-State area suffer this time of year. Trees, flowers, mold, pollen—what’s your trigger?
I have no idea what mine is, but lately I’ve been dealing with a runny nose, postnasal drainage and itchy eyes. Clearly it was time to talk to the experts at The Christ Hospital, so I reached out to ENT specialist Dr. Matthew Hensler.
What’s triggering allergies right now?
Spring is peak allergy season, and everyone seems to be sniffling, sneezing and rubbing their eyes and noses. So what seasonal allergies are out there right now?
Dr. Hensler explains, “The primary spring allergens are typically tree pollens. This usually begins in mid-March and goes through May.”
Oh joy!
Do pollen counts really matter?
I get allergy alerts sent straight to my phone, and even my Google Home keeps me updated about air quality. But I wondered if those warnings really matter and what I should be doing with that information.
According to Dr. Hensler, “Monitoring pollen counts can be clinically useful for managing allergy symptoms. Higher pollen concentrations have been associated with increased allergy medication purchases and ER visits. Patients can use pollen count information to implement avoidance measures like limiting time outdoors, showering after being outside or keeping windows closed when counts are high.”
So yes—those alerts are worth paying attention to.
Mild or severe? How allergies are classified
Classifying your allergies can be tricky. Since I don’t deal with symptoms all year long, I assumed mine would fall into the mild category. But how do you really know?
Dr. Hensler says classification is based on how much allergies impact your quality of life. “Mild allergies mean symptoms are present but not affecting daily life. Moderate to severe allergies occur when symptoms are troublesome enough to affect quality of life, such as sleep disturbances, exacerbation of coexisting conditions, or impairing work or daily activities.”
Treatment options that actually help
When it comes to allergy treatment, symptom severity plays a big role. Dr. Hensler explains, “Traditional management options include second-generation antihistamines like Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin or Xyzal. Intranasal antihistamine sprays such as Astepro are also available over the counter. Intranasal steroid sprays like Flonase or Nasacort are recommended as first-line therapy, especially for moderate to severe symptoms.”
When to see an ENT
If you’re already taking medication but still struggling, it might be time to see a specialist.
Dr. Hensler recommends an ENT evaluation if symptoms persist despite medication, if you’re unsure whether allergies are really the cause, if coexisting conditions like asthma have worsened or if you’re interested in formal allergy testing to pinpoint specific triggers.
Spring allergies may be inevitable, but suffering doesn’t have to be. With the right information and the right care, relief is possible.