March brings spring, and that means allergy season

March, daylight saving time and warmer weather all signal the coming spring and, for many people, the coming of allergy season.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that approximately 40 million Americans suffer from indoor/outdoor allergies like hay fever and other seasonal allergies. Cape Girardeau allergist Dr. Janna Tuck said there are many allergens in the area and, unfortunately, they are all at their peak about the same time.

"Tree season starts in March and goes to May, where it overlaps with grass season. Grass season hits its peak around Memorial Day and goes to mid-June," Tuck said.

She said after grass season, there is a short window where the area is not overly high with allergens, but then pollen and ragweed season start at the end of summer, right before the start of school.

She said in addition to the seasonal allergens, one allergen is always present in the Cape Girardeau area.

"Mold is always in the air," Tuck said. "It comes and goes with the rains."

She said because mold can seem worse in the spring because of all the rain, many people think they have seasonal allergies, when they actually have a mold allergy.

Another common allergy is pet dander. Tuck said even people who do not have a pet are exposed to the pet dander from co-workers and friends.

Dr. Richard Tipton, a Cape Girardeau physician, said he begins seeing more patients with allergy symptoms as spring approaches.

"People typically talk about 'my hay fever' or 'my allergies,' that kind of thing," he said. "I usually see this when the season changes, things start blooming out and we start getting some grass. Farmers take to the fields and stir it up. That is usually the start of the seasonal allergies."

Some typical symptoms allergy sufferers have include sneezing, coughing, runny nose with a clear discharge and watery, itchy eyes.

Tipton said the best defense against allergy attacks is to learn what causes symptoms and stay clear of those allergens.

"Avoid whatever triggers it," he said. "That is probably the biggest thing, but there a lot of things you can't avoid. If it is in the air and you are allergic to it and you have to go outside, you are not going to be able to avoid it. If you have to cut the grass, maybe wear a mask and keep your exposure to a minimum."

For some of the more severe cases, avoidance is not enough. Tuck and Tipton said there are a variety of medications to help fight allergy symptoms.

"Medicines are not specific for certain allergies," Tuck said. "The mechanism used is the same."

She said while over-the-counter medications can be effective, sometimes a prescription is a better option.

"Antihistamines can only do so much," Tuck said. "Nose sprays you get from prescription are by far the best."

There is no magic trick for treating allergies, and often sufferers go through many medications before they find relief.

"Basically, people just have to find what works for them," Tipton said. "What works for one person may not work for the next. It is kind of trial and error. Over the counter, you have the old standbys like Benadryl. It is more sedating, though. Newer ones like Zyrtec and Claritin tend to have less sedating effects."

Tuck said allergies are genetic and people who have two parents with allergies likely will suffer them, as well. However, allergies are not necessarily permanent.

"You can outgrow allergies you have as a child," she said. "It can get better with age. As a rule people who develop allergies as a teen or as an adult will not see relief until they are in their 50s."