Are you sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and have watery eyes lately? Well, unfortunately spring didn’t just bring us warmer weather. It also brought spring allergies and asthma flare ups. This season we may experience more allergies due to the warm winter we just had. Since the climate is changing, it’s causing the pollen to become heavier and stay longer compared to previous years. On top of that, COVID-19 is still a thing and there are new variants.
Yes, spring allergies and COVID-19 have overlapping symptoms, but there are many ways to differentiate the two. AFC Urgent Care Worcester has come up with a guide for you this spring to help clear up any confusion between COVID-19 and spring allergies. We also have tips on how you can reduce allergy symptoms.
What Triggers Spring Allergies?
Climate change can be one of the reasons why allergies can be triggered. Due to the warm weather, the pollen levels can be stronger, and they can last longer than previous years. 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 can 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.
Differences Between Spring Allergies And COVID-19?
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. Some people may not even experience any symptoms.
Spring allergies can cause:
- Sneezing
- Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
How To Manage Spring Allergies And Asthma
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 health care 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.
- Get your inhaler prescription refilled. You might need it if you suffer from asthma!
AFC Urgent Care Worcester Can Help You Find Spring Allergy And Asthma Relief
Seasonal allergies can be uncomfortable, draining and frustrating, but here at AFC Urgent Care Worcester you can get treatment for allergies and asthma on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed when visiting us, but they are always welcomed.
We make it convenient for you to get the right treatment or testing any day of the week. If you need COVID-19 testing to rule out COVID, we can do this too!
Always here for you!
