Spring has arrived - and so have the allergies!
It is that time of year again, spring is upon us. For about 40 million Americans this also means dealing with dreaded allergies.
But don't let the seasonal sniffles get you down! According to "Early Show" Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, there are ways to get your allergies under control.
While it may appear that this time of year allergies are at their worst, Ashton points out that they can be set off during any time of the year - spring or fall.
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"When you think of allergies, what you want to think of is, say, hypersensitivity or hyper-stimulation of our immune system and where we see it the most is our initial barriers to the environment," she explains. "The mucous membranes -- eyes, nose, throat, and then it's really severe, chest, lungs, upper respiratory system and that really, really can be a serious issue."
Allergies can be both genetic, and they can develop later in life.
"Most people can develop them in their childhood or young adulthood. They can pop up in the adult years, as well. But if you come from a family where one of your parents or siblings is prone to seasonal allergies and the medical term is allergic rhinitis, your risk is therefore higher," she adds.
"Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge says he felt fine growing up with Golden Retrievers, but as soon as he turned 24, he couldn't go anywhere near them. Ashton also developed allergies while in high school.
What are some allergy triggers out there?
Allergies can be set off by pollen, grass, weeds, dust, pet dander and mold.
There are a number of different ways people can control their allergies, but it's also important to nip it in the bud right away.
"When I talk to my patients, it's shocking how many people are not treating them well, and not optimizing their treatment. Basically you want to start by getting control of these symptoms early. It's much easier to treat the allergy problem before they're full-blown attacks," notes Ashton.
You can also go to over-the-counter treatment, which includes nasal sprays, decongestants or pills. "But you need to remember, these are really only good short-term or sporadic use," she says. "If they don't work then you really need to go to prescription medications."
You can also control your environment, by minimizing your time outdoors during peak pollen hours and using a mask if necessary, or turn on the air conditioner.
There are natural remedies as well. One example of this is a short-term remedy called the Neti pot.
"Lastly, if none of these things are working you want to see a physician, an allergist who can go through desensitization injections early, preferably you start this in the winter, so that by the time the spring comes you're really in control of these symptoms and they can be effective," Ashton adds.