BEAVERCREEK -- Allergy sufferers, especially those sensitive to tree pollens, have been hit hard this past week. Tree pollens were at an all time high Tuesday. The rain Wednesday did bring some relief, but it will only be temporary.
So why is THIS tree pollen season so bad? It all can be blamed on the weather. March was abnormally cold. We even had a snow storm at the end of the month. This delayed the release of tree pollen. Then when it finally warmed up in April, everything bloomed all at once.
And tree pollens aren't the only thing people in the Miami Valley suffer from. Grass season is fast approaching, then molds begin to be a problem in July. Then the worst allergy season starts in August, ragweed season.
"The ragweed season officially starts on August 15th. It really depends on how the weather was in the summer, as to how bad the ragweed season will be." said Arturo Bonnin, an allergist at The Allergy and Asthma Centre of Dayton.
Laura Rapoch, a patient of Dr. Bonnin's, has extreme reactions to several allergens. She was in the office today getting allergy tests. "I get watery eyes, itchy ears, itchy eyes, watery nose a lot of congestion." said Laura "I have been trying the over the counter medicines like the Claritin's, the Zyrtecs, all of those antihistamines that they tell you to take, and it wasn't working."
Allergy tests can be extremely helpful to those who have severe allergy reactions. This test will let you know what you are allergic to and will help the doctor prescribe the right medications.
If your allergies aren't severe like Laura's, there are some things you can do at home to combat you symptoms. Keep your windows in your home and your car closed. This will reduce the amount of pollen getting inside. If you do have to spend a lot of time outdoors, take a shower when you get in. This will wash away any pollen stuck to your body and hair and keep it from affecting you later.
So why is THIS tree pollen season so bad? It all can be blamed on the weather. March was abnormally cold. We even had a snow storm at the end of the month. This delayed the release of tree pollen. Then when it finally warmed up in April, everything bloomed all at once.
And tree pollens aren't the only thing people in the Miami Valley suffer from. Grass season is fast approaching, then molds begin to be a problem in July. Then the worst allergy season starts in August, ragweed season.
"The ragweed season officially starts on August 15th. It really depends on how the weather was in the summer, as to how bad the ragweed season will be." said Arturo Bonnin, an allergist at The Allergy and Asthma Centre of Dayton.
Laura Rapoch, a patient of Dr. Bonnin's, has extreme reactions to several allergens. She was in the office today getting allergy tests. "I get watery eyes, itchy ears, itchy eyes, watery nose a lot of congestion." said Laura "I have been trying the over the counter medicines like the Claritin's, the Zyrtecs, all of those antihistamines that they tell you to take, and it wasn't working."
Allergy tests can be extremely helpful to those who have severe allergy reactions. This test will let you know what you are allergic to and will help the doctor prescribe the right medications.
If your allergies aren't severe like Laura's, there are some things you can do at home to combat you symptoms. Keep your windows in your home and your car closed. This will reduce the amount of pollen getting inside. If you do have to spend a lot of time outdoors, take a shower when you get in. This will wash away any pollen stuck to your body and hair and keep it from affecting you later.