Achew! We’re now approaching spring allergy season. Some of you are ready to enjoy the outdoors while the rest of you are going to have to prepare for a sudden explosion of pollen and other allergy triggers this spring.

If you’re like the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies, you know it’s accompanied by watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing and more. 

Where’s the relief?  At AFC Urgent Care Dedham can already tell that this month’s wacky weather is wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers, and our centers are already seeing patients flock in for some allergy relief.

Here’s how to prepare for spring allergy season:

Is Allergy Season Going To Be Bad This Year?

You bet it is! Because we had a warm winter, it can often lead to higher pollen counts in the spring. Here’s what you should know:

• Priming Effect: The Priming Effect occurs when temperatures rocket up and plunge quickly in a short amount of time. Cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon? Sounds familiar, right? The constantly changing temperatures cause your body to rev up the immune system meaning people are hyper-sensitive to the new pollen. This causes increased sensitivity and more suffering once the allergens are released.
• Warm Winters: Warm certainly isn’t something you think of when talking about winter. But warmer winters are just as much a part of allergy season as other factors. 

How Can I Prepare For Spring Allergy Season?

With allergy season already starting, it’s important to know how to protect yourself, especially if you are sensitive to pollen. Here are a few things that can help cut down on the severity of allergies and let you still enjoy the spring season.

• If you’ve been outside, take a shower before you go to bed and change into fresh clothes so you don’t bring pollen onto your sheets that may have clung to your skin, hair or clothes.
• Limit outdoor activity to late afternoon ? pollen counts are highest in the morning.
• It’s best to go outside after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Keep car and home windows closed and opt for air conditioning at night to keep pollen out.
• Change your bedding and pillow covers often.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

What If It’s Not Allergies And It’s COVID-19?

Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 overlap with symptoms of allergies. Your best bet is to get tested to rule this out. The good news is that cases of COVID-19 have been waning over the past few weeks. But, it’s still very much a threat in the Dedham, MA communities. If you have shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, a low grade fever, sore throat, and congestion, then it’s time to get tested for COVID-19.

Find Allergy Relief At AFC Urgent Care Dedham

Enjoying warmer weather is one of the best things about spring, so go ahead and smell the flowers! Just remember that we at AFC Urgent Care Dedham are here for allergy relief if you need us. If you need us for COVID-19 testing, we also offer rapid antigen and rapid molecular tests on a walk in basis. NO appointment needed!