PEORIA (25News Now) – A Peoria allergist said prolonged allergy seasons are here to stay.
The allergist at OSF St. Francis Healthcare, Dr. Arabelle Abellard, said many patients come in with more severe symptoms going on longer.
She said increased carbon dioxide in the air leads to plant growth and more pollen production, and she advised those with allergies to start taking medications early in February.
Abellard also suggested keeping up with the pollen count in your area, and immediately changing after being in areas where the pollen is high. If those methods fail, she said to see a doctor who can do a skin test.
“We also have other things we can do as well,” said Abellard. “We can do allergy immunotherapy and allergy shots, that is a type of way that is a way for us to administer a vaccine that allows you to build a tolerance to the things triggering your immune system.”
She added that pollen season these days starts three weeks early, and ends a week later than usual.
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