STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Signs of spring are starting to show along Sarah Street in Stroudsburg, but along with the changing of seasons comes pollen.
"The last couple of days are the first couple of days where we've had moderate level of pollen. So from here on in, on all the nice days, we expect the allergy season to just be in moderate, if not full swing through the rest of the spring season," said Dr. Robert Zemble, an allergist with Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Dr. Zemble says spring allergies are on time this year, and if you suffer from them, it's best to start your allergy medicine now to build immunity before you become miserable.
Some people don't even realize they have allergies, and that's why Dr. Zemble says it's important to pay attention to your symptoms.
"If you're not an allergy sufferer and you feel like, 'You know what? I've had this cold for a long time.' Sometimes, that's the first sign that, well, maybe, this could be allergies if you're having prolonged colds during allergy season. But it's the sneezing, the nasal congestion, the runny nose, the post-nasal drip, the nasal itching."
Fr. Zemble says for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, the biggest thing you can do is avoid being outside during the day when pollen levels are high.
"Keep the outside outside. So, windows shut, air on during the heavy pollen season. Tree season is typically March, April, May. Grass season is typically May, June. And then after you have been outside for a prolonged period of time, shower and change so you're not sleeping in a body full of pollen."
Dr. Zemble expects pollen levels to increase, so it's important to start taking your medicine now if you suffer from allergies.