A warmer March and April gave plants a head start to the growing season, Randall said.
Add to that drier air and you’ve got a lot of pollen floating around. The area’s about 1.8 inches below normal in rainfall.
“Periods of rain could have dampened down the pollen, cleared out the air,” he said. “But we haven’t seen that.”
Local physicians have seen an increase in requests for help with the runny nose and itchy eyes common with spring allergies.
“From what we’re seeing, it’s going to be a tough season,” said Karen Fenwick allergy technician for Ear Nose & Throat of Springfield. “We’re seeing more eye complaints and people just not feeling well.”
Dr. G. Anthony Holt, who specializes in allergy and asthma, has also seen an increase in complaints.
“It’s been more active than I’ve seen in recent years,” he said.
“We are just starting to see an increase (in demand for seasonal allergy medications) since the end of last month,” said Rite Aid Pharmacist Ajai Paul. “I don’t know that it’s worse than last year.”
The best defense is to minimize exposure if possible, such as keeping windows closed and the air conditioner on while pollen counts are high, he said.
Keeping windows closed at night is especially helpful, Fenwick said.
“You’re lying down and all the drainage is getting in there,” she said. “You wake up in the morning and feel terrible.”
Grass pollen will soon follow the trees, leaving little gap between irritants, Holt said.
“But all it not lost. There are some medications that can help,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.
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