Spring has sprung in Shreveport and allergies are on the rise

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times

Are you battling the daily carwashes following the yellow buildup of powder on your car?

Yes, it is that time of year when not only the azaleas are blooming, but allergies are flaring.

Tuesday marked the first day of spring, which means warmer weather is settling in, bringing the unwanted spring allergies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25% of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies.

Dr. Jean Ancelet, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Shreveport, said spring is when the flora of the world wakes up and starts producing pollen.

“In the U.S., the most common plant allergens are grass, which is everywhere, and ragweed,” said Ancelet. “But also locally, oak pollen, red cedar pollen and pine pollen can cause symptoms in some people.”

Cold and allergy symptom are very similar and Ancelet said, “the most common allergy symptoms are runny nose (usually clear), stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, and a scratchy throat, often with a frequent, throat-clearing cough.”

He continued by saying that colds are viral infections which usually include fever, sore throat and body aches. "A cold’s cough is also more aggressive and incessant than the simpler throat-clearing cough of seasonal allergies."

Allergy symptoms can last as long as exposure to the allergen. Ancelet described it as if you are allergic to a pet, once you are no longer around that animal the symptoms begin to disappear.

A bee collects pollen at a flowering Cherry tree.
A bee collects pollen at a flowering Cherry tree.

How can you prevent these seasonal allergies?

Ancelet recommends if you suffer from seasonal allergies to do these following activities:

  • take an antihistamine early in allergy season before symptoms start

  • use an air purifier at home

  • avoid outdoor activities in the morning when pollen counts are highest

  • track your local pollen counts

"There are many safe over-the-counter antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays that a person can use to minimize allergy symptoms," said Ancelet. "Saline nasal rinse kits can also be very helpful."

He continued by saying, "there are treatments to make it through this season with less of these disruptions."

More: Go inside LSU Health Shreveport Match Day 2024

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Spring has sprung and allergies are on the rise in Louisiana

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