ALBANY, N.Y.-- April showers bring may flowers, and this year they've brought a hugely high pollen count to the Capital Region. However, when do allergenic symptoms became bad enough to consult a doctor?
If you have allergies then you know these symptoms well, but experts say this season is the worst in more than a decade. The snowy winter and rainy spring have produced a bumper crop of grass, ragweed and caused trees to bud early.
"Its foggy like you're head is heavy, your eyes are running, your nose is running," said Michelle Mesley-Natoskie, of Colonie.
"It makes you really sick," said Judy Keyes, of Niverville "Sometimes you get an infection, a respiratory infection from it."
However, there are alternative remedies that can help. Dr. David Kuhrt, who works for "Its Only Natural" in Stuyvesant Plaza, showed News 10 some of the most popular products.
"Nettle is just a natural herb," said Dr. Kuhrt. "It's good for helping hay fever and helping with histamines but without having any of the negative side effects you'd get from anti-histamine medications."
If you are suffering, experts recommend limiting your time outdoors and keeping your windows closed. Hut doctors say for people with the most severe cases that won't be enough.
"If this can't be managed by their primary care doctor than it's certainly a situation where you would want a referral to an allergist," said Dr. Kuhar.
There are also plenty of over the counter products available at your local drug store, but doctors said the best defense against pollen is just to stay away from it.
NEWS10 ABC
