Now that you’ve survived the dreaded Mountain Cedar allergy season, you’re probably thinking, “I’m in the clear and everything is looking up”. Not so fast.

In Austin and Central Texas, there’s no rest for the weary allergy sufferers in 2016. Our unseasonably warm temperatures are getting spring off to an early start, and in a rare February switch, our pollen counts are actually showing higher levels of spring tree pollens than mountain cedar pollen. The spring tree season typically runs from mid-March through late May. Already, however, we are already beginning to see Live Oak, American Elm and White Ash showing up in the pollen reports.

Live Oak allergy brings the most misery

Live Oak allergy is the most troublesome pollen for spring allergy sufferers. The yellow-green oak pollen coats everything from your car to the sidewalk — and even the grass-heavy pollen can linger in the air for weeks depending on whether or not we receive any rain. The resulting allergy and asthma symptoms can be miserable. Classic spring “hay fever” symptoms can include nasal congestion and drainage, sneezing, itching and eye irritation. And if you are unlucky enough to also have asthma, you may have to deal with a dry, hacking cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or even wheezing.

To survive the spring allergy season, keep in mind some of the following general guidelines for staying healthy:

1. Limit your outdoor exposure as much as possible. If you regularly exercise outside, try temporarily switching to an indoor routine. Do you take the kids to soccer or baseball? Try watching practice from the comfort and protection of your car. Keep your windows closed and the air-conditioning running; not only in the house, but when you’re driving in the car as well. And if you do have to be outside for an extended period of time, wear a filter mask.

2. Be sure to wash after every outdoor activity. All that pollen which is collecting in your nose and lungs is also collecting on your hair and clothing. Taking a shower and changing into clean clothing after outdoor activities will reduce your exposure to the pollen. And definitely wash your hair before going to bed — pollen on the pillow means pollen exposure all night.

3. Begin taking your preventative medications now. Preventative nasal steroid sprays, which are now available over-the-counter, are best when started at least two weeks before the spring allergy season starts and should be taken every day until the season ends. Prescription preventative medications, such as Montelukast, should also be taken on a daily basis during the season.

4. Have antihistamines and eye drops readily available. Non-sedating antihistamines, as well as many allergy eye drops, are now available without a prescription. Although they are designed to be used “as-needed”, they are generally safe for daily use through the season. If you are unsure about which medications to take, check with your pharmacist.

Allergy Drops can help build the body’s tolerance

When all your avoidance efforts and the over-the-counter medications don’t do the trick, then it’s time to call your allergist. A board-certified allergist can prescribe more intensive remedies to bring your current symptoms under control and develop a preventative plan using allergen immunotherapy that can help you avoid the misery of seasonal allergies in the future.

Rather than reducing symptoms after they have started, allergen immunotherapy helps your body develop resistance to the pollen particles so that your symptoms are significantly reduced and much less severe. Oral allergy drops now offer a convenient, safe and effective option for patients who don’t want to be bothered with weekly allergy injections in the doctor’s office. An individualized extract prescription is prepared for each patient based on the results of allergy testing. Patients then take a daily dose of their drops and advance through build up dilutions to reach their maintenance dose in just one month. That makes now a great time to consider allergy drops as a way to fend off your seasonal allergies.