Spring allergy season will hit with a vengeance in many parts of the country, with the relatively warm, wet winter in many regions resulting in loads of tree and other pollens and mold.

Hay fever is one of the most common allergies. The medical term for this is seasonal allergic rhinitis, which indicates that the problem is seasonal. The typical symptoms include any combination of sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, nasal congestion, postnasal drainage, red itchy eyes, itchy palate and itchy ears. The symptoms usually come and go during the same season each year, but there may be some variability from year to year.

The most common cause of this is outdoor pollens from trees or grasses or weeds.  If the usual medications are not adequate to control the patient’s nasal allergy symptoms or if they need medication for a prolonged period time, allergy shots may be recommended to get individuals over their allergies.