While it seems like pollen counts would be down, being that Minnesota has been in the middle of a change in seasons for the last month, the opposite is actually true.
Dr. Douglas McMahon from the Allergy and Asthma Center of Minnesota shared with News Talk 830 WCCO's Susie Jones that pollen counts this year are not as low as some would think.
"Even when it's cold outside, the trees will start to pollinate around mid-to-end of March," McMahon said. "The levels are quite high already."
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While there isn't a way to fight the pollen from emerging that causes your nose to drip and eyes to itch, McMahon says that there are ways to protect yourself.
"If you're going to be outside, wearing a hat and sunglasses can prevent the allergens from getting into your hair, which eventually you lay down, and it gets in your face," McMahon said. "Same as the sunglasses; they stop it from getting in your eye."
The doctor went on to say that you can also do some environmental things to stop the pollen from getting into where you live, including keeping the windows to your car and house closed.
"If you have a pet, having the dog or cat shake off in the garage before they bring pollens into the house," McMahon said.
If you are worried because over-the-counter medications aren't working for you, the doctor shared that it's actually quite normal, and there are other options to help reduce the effect of allergies.
"Allergy shots often help people with recurring nasal congestion or sinus infection or asthma," McMahon said. "We also have allergy drops which are tablets or liquid underneath the tongue that don't work as well as shots, but that's another option as well."
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