NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – This year, Seasonal allergies are having trouble with a wave COVID.
Spring is in the air, and so is pollen.
Priscilla Blanco, in the Bronx, knows every year when New York City is in full bloom, she develops symptoms.
“I have a dry, itchy throat and my nose is always stuffy,” she said.
“Everyone was scared. “Oh no, can I have COVID or am I allergic?” “Ear, nose and throat surgeon, Dr. Shawn Nasseri,” told Jessica Layton of CBS2.
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Nasseri said he was seeing a rush of patients coming, asking, “What makes me feel miserable?”
“We are seeing terrible allergies because a lot of us have been indoors for the past year,” says Nasseri.
It does not help the common symptoms overlap.
“Wow, congestion… runny nose,” said Dr. John Lopez, who runs the American Family Care Clinic in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. “Symptoms actually target COVID, more serious symptoms like cough, cough with sputum, difficulty breathing, and fever.”
He says a high fever and sudden loss of taste are usually not a symptom of an allergy, while itching, watering eyes and sneezing are often not part of COVID.
Now, doctors say there are many reasons for you to wear a mask. New research shows it doesn’t just protect against COVID; It can also fight some of the most common allergens.
There are also some triggers you may not realize that are making your allergies worse – like wine. Researchers believe that the bacteria and yeast in alcohol produce histamine.
Dust mites love bedding and cushions, so even making your bed can make them fly.
In addition, dishwashers kill a lot of bacteria, children have a hard time building immunity.
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But remember, if your usual allergy medicine doesn’t work, you should definitely see your doctor.
“I guess the other way here is, when in doubt, go check that COVID, right?” Layton asked.
“Definitely. We haven’t finished this yet,” said Lopez.
And we won’t be in for a while.
CBS2’s Jessica Layton contributed to this report.