A groundhog seeing its shadow might signal six more weeks of winter, but that hasn’t stopped the feeling of early spring for Charlotte allergy sufferers.
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The weather is warming up, trees are starting to bloom – and pollen is permeating through the air.
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The highest pollen counts are usually recorded between the last week of March and the second week of April, a spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality told The News & Observer.
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However, warmer temperatures in winter can mean an early start of allergy season. When birch and juniper trees start to bloom, that could affect your allergies, said Alyssa Rosemartin, an application specialist for the National Phenology Network, told WCNC.
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While exact pollen counts in Charlotte aren’t known, some allergy sufferers are already starting to experience symptoms, Dr. Roopen Patel, an allergy specialist at Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center in Charlotte, told The Charlotte Observer.
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“We have anecdotal evidence,” Patel said. “We’re getting patients that are coming in and saying they can feel the pollen.”
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In February, pollen levels in Charlotte tend to fluctuate between low and medium, with most grains coming from trees, according to Carolina Asthma & Allergy’s pollen and mold counter. The most common type of pollen allergy is grass.
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Other prevalent allergies include trees and weeds, and all types of pollen can trigger symptoms, Patel said.
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If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from pollen allergies, here’s how to keep your symptoms in check.
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You may be experiencing these symptoms
Pollen entering your body often releases histamines into your blood, which can trigger allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. Other symptoms include itchy eyes and even dark circles under the eyes.
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How to treat pollen allergies
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Medications can help reduce your pollen allergies, according to Carolina Asthma & Allergy. Some medications that can help include over-the-counter Benadryl, Claritin and Zyrtec. Also suggested are nasal corticosteroids like Nasacort and Zicam. Decongestants Mucinex and Sudafed work well, too.
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Allergy shots, which involve a series of injections that contain a specific allergen to help your body build immunity to it, can also improve symptoms over time.
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How to reduce exposure to allergy triggers
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There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to things that trigger your allergy symptoms, according to Carolina Asthma & Allergy:
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Avoid outdoor tasks like mowing lawns or pulling weeds to reduce your exposure to allergens
Don’t hang laundry outdoors, since pollen could stick to towels and sheets
Stay indoors when it’s windy and dry
Shower after being outdoors to remove pollen from your body
Wear a pollen mask if you do outdoor chores
Use a dehumidifier and air conditioning in your car and home
Clean your floors with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter
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This story was originally published February 14, 2023, 7:00 AM.