According to recent articles in the Washington Post, Forbes and many other national media publications, the 2023 spring allergy season is starting earlier than ever due to the effects of climate change, which is changing the pattern of when trees, plants, and grass spring to life.

If you suffer from spring allergies, you’ll want to start taking your medication sooner than you might have in the past. Taking your medication before symptoms appear helps your body to keep the misery from getting out of hand. Check here for today’s pollen count in our area courtesy of Map My Air.

“We perform an assessment of your symptoms, prescribe a custom treatment plan, and are available for follow up care, said Lakes Urgent Care medical director Dr. Haidar Al-Saadi. “At Lakes Urgent Care, we can also make sure your symptoms are caused by allergies and not something else, like a deviated septum or sinus infection.”

Instead of guessing which over the counter medication is best for your unique symptoms, plan an annual visit with your primary care physician to review what you did the year before, what worked, and what didn’t. And you can always consult with us at Lakes Urgent Care any time, no appointment needed. If we saw you last year for allergy care, we can also review how things went and adjust your medication plan as needed for the 2023 spring allergy season.

“If spring allergies give you asthma symptoms, sustained use of bronchodilators such as albuterol have been widely proven to be both safe and effective.” said Dr. Al-Saadi.

Spring allergies are less severe in Detroit

Here’s some good news. If you suffer from spring allergy symptoms,  you’ll be much less miserable here in metro Detroit than just about anywhere else in the country. According to a new study done by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, out of 100 cities tested nationwide, metro Detroit was the sixth-best city for fewest allergens in the air, patient medication use, and patient access to an allergy specialist.

There are a few proactive things you can always do to minimize your spring allergy symptoms. In your home, keep windows closed and rely on your home’s heating and cooling system along with good quality air filters and dehumidifiers to reduce symptoms while indoors or sleeping. When coming in from any outdoor activity, showering and changing your clothes can help reduce your exposure to allergens. If you can determine the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms, this can help you reduce or potentially eliminate exposure to the elements that cause you grief.