LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As pollen levels rise, so do allergy symptoms, said Camy Campisano of Norton Healthcare. 

What You Need To Know

  • More than 50 million Americans have spring allergies, according to the American Lung Association

  • Allergies happen when people develop sensitivities to their environment; pollen, mold and dust can all be triggers 

  • Some symptoms include itchy eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing

  • Taking antihistamines is one way to prevent symptoms 

“Watery itchy eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sometimes some drainage in your throat, but not the same as you would have with strep or the flu,” Campisano said.

Allergies happen when people develop sensitivities to their environment, as pollen, mold and dust can all be triggers, she said. Campisano added she tells patients they can help prevent symptoms by taking antihistamines as trees pollinate.

But if someone missed that deadline, it’s not too late.

“If you are willing to spray something up your nose, there are steroids like FLONASE, Nasacort, Nasonex ... and honestly, using nasal saline to rinse the nasal passages can be really effective,” Campisano said.

Campisano said she tells her patients they can also try avoiding triggers as pollen count tends to be higher in the morning, leading to stronger symptoms. People can feel the effects as temperatures fluctuate. 

"Our sinuses are practically an internal barometer, so when the pressure and the temperature is changing, people can develop sinus pressure and pain due to that,” Campisano said.

The American Lung Association reports more than 50 million Americans have spring allergies.

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