Springtime means allergies for many

by Kafi Drexel, Capital News 9
Updated Tuesday, May 5, 2009

For the past few years, Jame Drew says he was getting blind-sided with allergies each spring and didn't know it.

"I moved here three years ago and I'd never had allergies before. I didn't realize I actually had allergies," he says. "I just thought usually it was the end of May early June and I usually just got a really bad summer cold every year and I'd just go to regular doctor and get antibiotics.

His allergist, Dr. Clifford Bassett of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York, says this can be a typical pattern with many allergy sufferers; unsure of symptoms that may be seasonal, they assume they have a cold.

Bassett says global warming contributing to increased pollen production, prolonged winters and late springs mixed with wet and warm weather patterns have all been factors contributing to a perfect storm for downright horrible allergy seasons.

"We've seen an explosion in new cases of allergies both in adults and children," says Bassett. "Just a little bit over a couple of weeks from now, we are going to see the height of the tree pollen and the grass pollen season and that's what I refer to as my super mega pollen burst."

Severe allergy symptoms include itchiness in the eyes, nose, and throat, post-nasal drip, or a cough that won't go away. If you see those symptoms rolling around the same time each year, Bassett says that could be a good sign it is not a cold, and you should finally head to an allergist.

"I always recommend if you've had allergy-type symptoms over the last few seasons and years and getting progressively worse, come in early. Get checked out and find out indeed if you have allergies to prevent bad symptoms," he says.

After finally getting shots, Drew says he's finally got the relief he needs.

"My life this year compared to last two three years is so different," he said. "It's really made a difference in my ability to do things."