How to Survive This Year’s Allergy Season

BROOKLYN

An intense allergy season is in the forecast for this year, and Dr. Michael Marcus, an adult and pediatric allergy specialist at Maimonides Medical Center, offers strategies for coping with symptoms.

“The secret to minimizing the impact of your allergies this year is to minimize your exposure,” Dr. Marcus said.

A study released by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology revealed that weather changes have been gradually increasing the pollen count since 2000, a trend expected to continue for the next 30 years. In addition, Superstorm Sandy left the Northeast with more humidity than normal, resulting in heightened allergy symptoms.

The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America notes that the pollen count is at its highest in urban areas between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dr. Marcus therefore suggests taking allergy medication in the morning, instead of waiting until you experience symptoms later in the day.

“Practices that minimize the amount of pollen entering your house are also important,” he explains. “This includes taking shoes off outside, changing clothes, showering at night and keeping windows closed. Animal fur can also trap pollen, so bathing pets more often in the spring is also advised.”

When preventative measures aren’t enough to lessen your symptoms, there are three categories of over-the-counter oral allergy medications to try.

At what point should an allergy sufferer consult with a physician? “If it takes a daily dose of medication to control your symptoms, or if you need two or more medications to do the job, it’s worth consulting an allergy specialist,” says Dr. Marcus.

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