You may want to get those tissues out, allergy season is back in full swing. But this year, health experts say it arrived early, and is expected to stay late.
Sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose are some of the symptoms that more than 35 million Americans suffer from when it comes to allergy season, and this year, they'll take in a longer dose.
"It's been a dry hot year so the season's been a little more tough on some patients," said David Edmondson.
Dr. Edmondson is an allergist at ENT Associates in Wausau. He says this year's allergy season started a little earlier than normal.
"With the mild winter we had an early spring season so back in April we were seeing more tree pollen and we were seeing more grass pollen a little early on this year as well," said Edmondson.
Causing patients to head to the clinic a little early too.
"I'm allergic to pollen grass and mold and once I get around it, it gets my lungs really tight and I can't breathe very well so I have to use an inhaler," said Sam Hauser.
Sam Hauser is a patient at ENT, and he's been affected by allergies his entire life.
"I take a lot of medicine daily, I take two in the morning," said Hauser.
"The biggest advice we'd give is of course you can try some over the counter medication but really if you're not getting any relief then you should see your physician," said Edmondson.
And experts say to hang in there, because this season may be a long one.
"The season could go a little bit longer than usual if we don't get a hard frost until later on in the year," said Edmondson.
So for patients like Hauser, being patient is key, especially during a season like this.
"I would not characterize this as the worst I've seen but it ranks up there," said Edmondson.
