(Memphis) Bad news for allergy sufferers in the Mid-South.
Doctors say this year’s fall allergy season has come early and is expected to be longer, and more severe than past years.
Memphis is already one of the worst cities in the country for allergy sufferers because of our climate and all the green spaces.
Last year’s mild winter may cause you to grab the tissue box more this fall.
Winter’s freezing temperatures typically kill off plants that trigger allergies like ragweed.
Last year that didn’t happen and people like Whitney Ball are paying for it.
“At the beginning of august it came into effect really fast. It came so fast I really didn’t know it was going to hit me that hard. It was pretty bad,” said Ball.
Plants to which people are allergic started blooming early this year and are expected to bloom longer, giving you more than one reason for your eyes to water.
“Allergies are going to be tough and we may not get that winter break again. So, people who may not have to see allergies in the winter for their allergies. That may not be the case this year,” said Dr. Steve Cole.
Dr. Cole says there are some things you can do to cut down on allergic reactions.
Pollen counts are highest in the morning, so if you need to do something outside, wait until the evening.
He also says it can be a good idea to change your clothes and wash your hair when you go home, to get that pollen your body has pick up all day off of you.
If you make it through the winter, you are not out of the woods.
Dr. Cole expects mold to be a big problem for allergy sufferers at the beginning of winter.
