The “warm” winter season is coming to an end. People will be outside more, and the good old grass smell will be back. But, because of the recent warm winter and climate change, pollen levels may be stronger and longer lasting this spring season. Unfortunately, the spring also brings sneezing, congestion, runny noses and other bothersome symptoms. On top of that, COVID-19 is still lingering and there can be some confusion as to what’s causing your itch in your nose. “Is it allergies or is it COVID-19?” That’s one of the questions that will be asked this spring 2023. 

For this reason, AFC Urgent Care Norwalk is here to help you alleviate your spring allergies with tips on how to prevent them testing that can rule out COVID-19. 

Tips on Preventing Allergy Triggers

Here are some tips in reducing the unwanted allergy triggers.

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergies.
• Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don't hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear a face mask if you do outside chores.
• Carrying an inhaler with you everywhere! Asthma flare ups are common during the spring allergy season!

If you want to take extra precaution, you may want to check your tv or the internet for the pollen levels. Checking this on a daily basis can help you take an extra step towards fighting the spring allergies this season. Here are some home remedies that can potentially help you from these bothersome triggers:

• Limiting pollen exposure to limit spring allergies
• Taking medicine early to relieve spring allergies
• Rinsing your nasal passages regularly
• Spring cleaning for your spring allergies
• Natural remedies for spring allergies like vitamin C 

Should COVID-19 Be A Concern This Spring?

Pollen exposure can result in “allergic conjunctivitis” in some individuals, causing red, watery, or itchy eyes. Some COVID-19 and spring allergy symptoms may overlap and this is where the confusion can happen, but there are many differences between COVID-19 symptoms and spring allergy symptoms. Some symptoms below may vary depending on the individual.

Spring allergies can cause:

• Sneezing
• Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
• Runny, stuffy nose
• Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)

Possible COVID-19 symptoms may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Symptoms may vary and some people may not even experience any symptoms of COVID. At the same time, we have new variants of COVID-19 circulating around Connecticut. It’s still a threat and still something to be concerned about this spring 2023 season. 

AFC Urgent Care Norwalk Can Help You This Spring Allergy Season

AFC Urgent Care Norwalk can treat you for allergies. If your allergies are causing you to have asthma symptoms, we can also treat that as well. We want you to enjoy the beautiful weather mother nature has to offer.

No appointment is ever needed when visiting us, but they are also welcomed. You can walk-in 7 days a week to be seen by one of our providers for quality AFC care! If you need rapid molecular or rapid antigen COVID-19 testing done, we can help with that too.