SPRING ALLERGIES BLOOM IN VIRGINIA

Spring is here and so is allergy season. The snow just stopped but the pollen count is already climbing. Tree pollen is the biggest cause of spring allergies. People with severe grass and ragweed allergies will start feeling the symptoms in a couple of months. But when you combine tree and grass pollen, more than 50 million allergic Americans are bracing themselves for sneezes and watery eyes.

They do not have to suffer without relief. Over-the-counter allergy remedies may help people with minor symptoms. For those with more severe allergic reactions, Patient First physicians may prescribe stronger treatments.

Allergy symptoms may also be reduced by:

• Closing windows and using the air conditioner to decrease the amount of pollen entering the home
• Minimizing outdoor activity between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when pollen counts are the highest
• Using pollen-removing air filters and changing them regularly