If you have allergies or asthma, spring can be a challenging time of the year. Millions of people who suffer from spring allergies often come down with sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes and runny noses. But, could it also be COVID-19? Many of the symptoms often overlap! So confusing!

We get it.  The good news is that the brutal r COVID-19 winter wave is starting to wane. Although it is still very much a threat, some symptoms for COVID-19 often overlap with symptoms of spring allergies and chances are you are experiencing spring allergies.

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield understands the differences can be confusing and has created a guide on spring allergies versus COVID-19 to help ease your anxiety a bit

Is My Sneezing From Spring Allergies Or COVID-19…or Asthma?

As mentioned above, some of the symptoms do overlap. 

Here’s an obvious tip: If you have an itch in your nose at the same time every year, it’s probably seasonal allergies. You just can’t forget about spring allergies. Afterall, we had a warm winter with sporadic temperature changes. This usually leads to a higher pollen count right at the start of springtime, sometimes even earlier. Tree pollen is usually the culprit for springtime allergies. In the summertime it’s usually grass pollen. Either or, it’s still a trigger for someone who suffers from seasonal allergies.

At the same time, you can’t just tick COVID-19 off the list. Cases might be down for now in Massachusetts, but it’s still very much a threat because of how highly contagious the Omicron variant is.

Your best bet is to get tested for COVID-19 , rule that out, and start preparing for the allergy season.

How To Prepare For Spring Allergy Season

“How can I prevent spring allergy season from getting the best of me?”. Here are some tips you can do at home to reduce the severity of your allergies:

1. 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.
2. Limit outdoor activity to late afternoon: pollen counts are actually highest in the morning.
3. It’s best to go outside after a good rain, as rain helps clear pollen from the air.
4. Keep your car and house windows closed and instead opt for air conditioning at night to keep pollen out.
5. Change your bedding and pillow covers often.
6. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
7. If you are asthmatic, make sure you have your inhalers or are up to date with your medications to prevent asthma attacks

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield Is Allergy Season Ready!

With no appointment needed, you can visit AFC Urgent Care West Springfield any day of the week. We have extended hours on the weekdays from 8am to 8pm and weekend hours from 8am to 5pm. Our providers are ready to help you find allergy relief!

If you need quick and convenient COVID-19 testing done, we also offer rapid molecular and rapid antigen tests for COVID on a walk-in basis!