ATLANTA — Spring is arriving in metro Atlanta, and with it can come seasonal allergies for some.
11Alive spoke with Dr. Christopher Chu of Atlanta Allergy & Asthma to gain insight into allergies for the spring and what can be done to alleviate symptoms.
Chu said that trees tend to be the main culprits for allergies during the spring season, and soon that pesty yellow pollen will cover cars across Metro Atlanta.
"In the coming weeks, when your windshields are dusted by the yellow pollen, that's pine," Chu said. "It's not an allergenic pollen, but it's what is large and visible. So it's blamed for the symptoms but not as clinically relevant."
Atlanta Allergy & Asthma keeps track of Atlanta's allergy pollen count and mold activity. On Thursday, March 14, trees were the top contributors, and it listed the types as pine, hackberry, sycamore, oak and cottonwood. The total pollen count for the day was 173, which, according to the website, is considered to be on the high-end
From his experience as an allergist, he recommends starting medications early to alleviate symptoms, especially because tree pollen in the area has been active since February. Chu also said he typically tells his patients to start medications around two weeks before they expect pollen to hit.
"The idea is that you kind of prime your nose of the steroids already working, and you won't respond as much or be as congested as badly as you could be," Chu said.
In general, Chu said that nasal sprays should be the first line of defense but that over-the-counter medication tablets like Claritin can also work well, especially alongside the sprays.
Overall, Chu said this spring might end up being one of the continued worst seasons for allergies because the temperatures are warmer and the seasons start earlier and last longer.
"So each time you just have more exposure, you're just gonna have more symptoms, especially with more pollen being produced," Chu stated.