Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Despite the calendar saying late September, allergy season continues across Western New York. Experts tell WBEN the prevalence of flora in the air is the main culprit and they believe it will continue for some time to come.
Dr. Stanley Schwartz of the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine says we have 'luxuriant' plant growth in WNY. "In the early spring, we had the trees pollinate," Schwartz says. "That is a major factor for the early spring and come the beginning of summer, the grasses grow, and everybody has these wonderful lawns around here. You can't see grass or flowers, but they're there and they give off pollen. That's what gives people allergy symptoms."
With the arrival of fall, another factor is coming into play, Schwartz says. "We have what are called late fall weeds which also are pollinated in the air." He adds when leaves fall and accumulate, mold is another factor for allergies.
If you're looking to deal with late season allergies, Schwartz says shampoo your hair at night. "When you lie down on your pillow, you don't just rub your nose into the pollens that are coming off of your hair. People don't necessarily think of that," explains Schwartz.
Another tactic he suggests is using over the counter nasal sprays like Flonase. "Using them regularly will reduce your symptoms, but it's something that has steroids," adds Schwartz. He says there are other steroid nasal sprays, but the amount of steroids that you're exposed to is very, very low.
Schwartz says the allergens will go away with the first killing frost.
