If you’ve found yourself sneezing non-stop throughout the day to the point that your co-worker in the cubicle next to you is on the verge of calling HR, you’re actually in good company. Ochsner Health Immunologist Dr. John Carlson says we’re in the height of allergy season, and the actual culprit may surprise you.
“Trees that have flowers that are pollinated by bees and other insects; those are not the ones causing issues. Instead, it’s the trees such as the oak pollen, that casts their pollen out into the wind, that are the problem,” Carlson explained.
Dr. Carlson says, especially on windy days, the oak pollen will make people very miserable.
“About 30% of people with allergies are allergic to oak pollen, which is our primary pollen that is out there in the wind right now,” Carlson said.
Carlson says if you suffer from seasonal allergies, there are treatments available at your local drug store to help control your symptoms – and keep you on good terms with your co-workers.
“If most of your symptoms are coming from sneezy noses, runny nose, stuffy nose. An intranasal steroid, a steroid that you can just pick up at your drug store, will work great,” Carlson advised.
The tree pollen will die down towards the end of spring; but then, the grass pollen will take hold, providing no relief to allergy sufferers.