The 2021 Spring Allergy Season Forecast

By Dr. Manav Segal, board-certified allergist and immunologist, Chestnut Hill Allergy & Asthma Associates

While COVID shutdowns have many people yearning for warm weather and outdoor activities, allergy sufferers know that spring means one thing . . . allergy season has arrived. The good news is that you can start planning your allergy-fighting strategy now. In fact, this year we added an additional tool that most people wouldn’t have considered using a year ago. Here are 10 tips to get the jump on pollen this spring:

1. If you typically follow a treatment that includes over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed antihistamine medications, start taking them about two weeks prior to anticipated onset of symptoms. That’s when they do the most good to help prevent inflammation.
2. Track the pollen count to stay aware of spikes. There are plenty of websites and mobile apps available at no cost.
3. Get a jump on spring cleaning by thoroughly dusting, vacuuming and washing surfaces and materials to remove dust and pollen that may have already penetrated your home. Identify and clean potential sources of mold.
4. Stay indoors when tree pollen peaks in the early morning.
5. Stay indoors on hot, windy days when pollen levels tend to be higher.
6. Wear eye protection when biking, and sunglasses outdoors when possible.
7. Keep windows closed at the house and when driving.
8. Remove and wash clothes you’ve worn outside. Shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
9. Change your air filters and consider using a HEPA air filter at home or at work.
10. While COVID has taken a toll on us all, we can adopt one preventative strategy we learned, which is wearing a mask, even double masking.

If you aren’t sure if you have allergies, if you have severe allergies or have questions, consult with your primary doctor or allergist to customize your plan. At Chestnut Hill Allergy & Asthma Associates, we identify and treat seasonal allergies in children and adults and are among the first in the region to introduce allergy cluster immunotherapy to treat seasonal allergies, which provides a faster tract to well-being. We’re here to help you enjoy the season to its fullest.

Dr. Manav Segal, of Chestnut Hill Allergy & Asthma Associates, is a leading Philadelphia-area allergist and immunologist who treats asthma and allergies in children and adults and provides breakthrough Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) to treat severe food allergies. Dr. Segal is Board certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is Chief of Allergy & Immunology at Chestnut Hill Hospital.