With the change of winter to spring, comes the onset of seasonal allergies for a portion of Saskatchewan’s population.
Jill Hubick is a respiratory educator from Lung Saskatchewan. She said dust, mold and pollen floating around some of the causes, but there are ways to keep symptom free and feeling well.
“Try and figure out what is bothering your allergies and what’s triggering it. Protect yourself as much as possible,” Hubick said.
Watching the pollen and weather reports are some suggested ways to know when it’s best to go outside for those with serious allergy conditions.
Dianne Hunt was 15 years old when she developed seasonal allergies. Since then it’s been an annual fight to her to keep symptoms under control.
As she has gotten older, the symptoms have become worse. She also has asthma which compounds how she feels, and makes it difficult to sometimes go outdoors.
“I would love to get out in the summer time, but I really have to gauge what it’s going to be like outside,” Hunt said.
Seasonal allergy symptoms include a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes. Sneezing and nasal congestion.
For people dealing with these symptoms, they can visit any pharmacy for medications to help control symptoms.
Jarron Yee is a pharmacist and said pharmacists are now able to prescribe medications for those dealing with seasonal allergies.
“Itchy, watery eyes, congestion. Some people start to think, is this the common cold or allergies? It’s very important to differentiate that,” Yee said.
