People often associate allergies with the arrival of spring; however, allergy season doesn’t adhere to a calendar. Allergies can affect individuals year-round, depending on their specific allergen triggers and environmental factors. In Texas, we’re in the throes of a late fall allergy spike.
In response to the extreme allergy conditions, local news organization, KVUE, posed this question to their social media followers: “On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 feeling like you won’t survive), how much are you struggling with your allergies this weekend?” Hundreds of users responded with their experiences, many expressing that their symptoms have been extreme.
Allergy experts are attributing this allergy spike to an increase in rain. Unlike other parts of the country, where dry conditions have led to the decline in allergen counts, uncharacteristic rain in central Texas has resulted in increased counts of mold allergens. Additionally, windy conditions have increased the number of airborne allergens in the region.
If you or a loved one has been affected by the allergy spike in Texas, there are steps you can take to find relief. Allergy specialists offer the following suggestions:
- Avoid going outside during peak allergy hours (midmorning through the afternoon).
- Make sure your office and home are dust-free.
- Keep your windows and doors closed to prevent the infiltration of allergens.
- Pay a visit to a local Tyler, Texas allergy clinic for a consultation.
If you’ve struggled with chronic allergies, a trained allergist may help you find relief. Your doctor will diagnose and evaluate your condition and develop a personalized allergy treatment plan. This may include medication, managing environmental factors or immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops). Immunotherapy can be used to increase allergen tolerance over time and eventually result in the elimination of allergies altogether. To learn more about the latest in allergy treatments, we welcome you to contact our team at [phone1 link=”true”].