VIDEO: What’s Really Making You Sneeze? Allergy Truths vs. Myths

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- We all know the symptoms- they’re practically unbearable. Unfortunately, living in the south- it’s allergy season all year long for most.

We still have 14 days until its technically spring however, allergists are saying the pollen count is at an all time high. But there’s the myth that people think flowers are the cause of these allergies, when in reality it’s the trees.

“Itching in the eyes, the nose, the throat, runny nose, sneezing, sometimes coughing can trigger asthma if they’re real allergic to things,” says West Point Allergist Dr. Hooker.

And the list of symptoms goes on and on.

Many people think they’re allergic to the blooming flowers, when in reality it’s the trees.

That’s because the bees pollinate the flowers but the tree’s pollen sits dormant.

“The flowering plants, the pollen is usually real big and it’s heavier and it’s sticky and the bees pollinate those plants and so that pollen is carried from one plant to another by the bees,” says Hooker.

The biggest natural helper for us allergy sufferers is rain… Unfortunately here in Mississippi, we’re prone to droughts.

“Pollen is in the air traveling and the rain seems to drench it and soak it well where it washes it out- and I’ve even found there’s pollen way out on the ocean with people on cruises, it travels for many many miles so the rain helps wash it out of the air,” says Hooker.

Because a cold and allergies share similar symptoms, it’s important to know the difference.”

“With a cold, in probably about a week it’s going to be gone; whereas with allergies like right now if you’re allergic to, let’s say oak tree, then you may have trouble going on for maybe 4-5 weeks,” says Hooker.

Over the counter treatments can be easily found.

“You can get antihistamine that are really good over the counter like Clariten, Zyrtec, Allegra, and there’s a new one we’re writing a prescription for called Zysol,” says Hooker.

Dr. Hooker says if your allergy symptoms last more than a month- without any relief in sight, you should go see your physician or an allergy specialist.