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According to the CDC, about a quarter of adults in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies. Dr. Itoro Okpokho, a Community Health Network family medicine physician, says patients are starting to come in complaining of itchy eyes, a runny nose, and congestion. "Those white trees that we see and love, the pollen starts flying off while we're mowing our lawns, so people are starting to deal with some of those symptoms right now."
Dr. O says some of her patients tell her the over-the-counter medications aren't helping. That's often because they may have misdiagnosed their own symptoms. You might think you have a cold or flu or even COVID-19, but really it's allergies! This is due to many of the symptoms overlapping.
One way to tell the difference is if you have a fever. Dr. O says "You don't get that with allergies." Also, body aches are a common symptom of a cold or COVID. The doctor says stomach issues are also associated with COVID along with an overt headache, not one caused by sinus or congestion.
A primary care doctor can help you sort out the difference between allergies, cold and COVID and can offer treatment if these problems get out of control. Dr. O says if you've had no relief in 10-14 days, it could mean that an allergy issue has turned into a sinus infection or a cold has evolved into pneumonia. Both need antibiotics for treatment.
If you're dealing with seasonal allergies, Dr. O recommends starting with over-the-counter medications including Claritin, Zyrtec, and nasal sprays to offer relief. She states you may have to try a couple of different options before finding what works for you. A primary care doctor can help with this treatment and offer prescription options for allergies, if needed.
If your allergy symptoms continue without relief, don't hesitate to speak with a primary care provider. They will get you feeling better, confirm you don't have other health issues causing your symptoms and get you back to enjoying the blossoms, rather than avoiding them.
