MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Dr. Mark Schecker of Coastal Carolina Allergy and Asthma in Myrtle Beach says it's that time of year where folks are coming back into the allergist because of Mother Nature, and this year could be a longer season.
Schecker blames it on several warm days in January. March marks the beginning of tree pollination, which will likely peak in the next few weeks, but it will be followed by grass and other plants pollinating.
Schecker says pollen you see on the ground or on your vehicles is pine pollen, and it typically doesn't cause problems, but it gets all the blame. Oak, maple and elm trees typically provoke the sinuses because it's microscopic and constantly floats in the air.
Symptoms include stuffy nose, watery eyes, cough and sometimes sore throat. Schecker says the sooner you act, the quicker you'll see relief.
"Ultimately, for the worst sufferers, or for people who don't like to take medication all the time, there are allergy shots or vaccines which actually treat the underlying problem," says Schecker. "In fact, it's the only thing that deals with the underlying problem, all the others just deal with systems."
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