Yet again, we’ve had another warm winter. Sure, a warm winter is better than a blizzardy winter, but because of climate change, the 2023 spring allergy season may be the worst one yet! Climate change will potentially lead to both higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons, causing more people to suffer from pollen allergies and other allergens.

If you’re an allergy sufferer, this means sneezing, congestion and watery eyes. In some cases, it may also trigger asthma symptoms. AFC Urgent Care Danbury West understands that this year is going to be an irritating spring allergy season and has created a guide on how to prepare and treat the unwanted allergies.

Pollen Is Your Nose’s Enemy!

Pollen is the grains or tiny seeds of flowering plants, trees, and grasses. These seeds can be carried on the wind and may cause various symptoms, or none at all, in individuals who are exposed to them, depending on your sensitivity.

Our changing climate has caused shifts in precipitation patterns, more frost-free days, warmer seasonal air temperatures, and more carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. These changes may affect:

• when the pollen season starts and ends and how long it lasts each year,
• how much pollen plants create and how much is in the air, and
• how pollen affects human health.

You can take extra precaution by checking the daily pollen levels online or on your local weather channel. 

Cutting down on the severity of allergies this spring season

If you are allergic to pollen, or if you have asthma, you can take steps to protect yourself:

• Check pollen forecasts on local news and online sources and plan to spend less time outdoors when pollen levels will be high.
• Take your allergy and/or asthma medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Don’t touch your eyes while you are outside and wash your hands when you go back inside (before you touch your eyes).
• Shower after being outside to remove pollen from your skin and hair.
• Change your clothes after being outdoors.
• Keep windows closed during pollen season.
• Use high-efficiency filters in your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Make sure your HVAC system can use high-efficiency filters and that they don’t violate the system’s warranty.
• Carry your inhaler. You will most likely need it, if you suffer from asthma and allergies (double whammy!)

Could My Sneezing Be Related To COVID-19 Or Is It Spring Allergies?

Although we have seen a decrease in cases in the past few months, COVID-19 is still very much a threat, especially since the spring allergy season is coming towards us. This does not mean that everything is related to COVID-19. But, we can also test for it, so that you can rule it out this spring season! 

After all, some symptoms of COVID-19 often overlap with symptoms of allergies. If you’re worried about COVID-19 still being a factor, then don’t hesitate on getting tested; Itwill give you peace of mind. And, if it's just allergies and/or asthma, we can help treat that, too! 

AFC Urgent Care Danbury is open 7 days a week. We also offer COVID-19 rapid antigen and rapid molecular testing. Appointments or walk-ins are welcomed. Visit us here or at our other 2 Danbury locations, or at 2 Main Street at 26 Newtown Road.