The Volunteer State ranks as one of the nation’s most challenging for folks who suffer from seasonal allergies, and the sneezing has begun.
Local Allergy Doctor Erin Rohman said she is already seeing an increase in patient appointments. Rohman said most folks are coming in with flare-ups of both allergies and asthma.
“That can be anything from stuffy runny nose, itchy watery eyes, those typical allergy symptoms,” Rohman said. “To even more serious allergy symptoms, such as shortness of breath, tightening of the chest, things like that that go along with asthma. That’s what I’m really seeing in the office at this time.”
Rohman said chances are Tennesseans suffer more than folks in other states because of our typically mild winters and all the plant life.
“Here in the Upper Cumberland pollen is nine months out of the year when we have spring pollen season that brings a lot of tree pollen,” Rohman said. “The summer pollen season, grass really peaks and as the fall approaches we get ragweed.”
Rohman said one type of allergy that does not get a lot of attention is mold spores. They can be found indoors and outdoors.
“Mold spores in the Upper Cumberland are often moderate to high year round at any given time,” Rohman said. “It doesn’t really get reported on the way pollen does, it’s not as exciting to people it seems. But if you suffer with mold allergies it can really be a problem for you year round.”
Rohman said there are safe and effective over the counter medications for all types of allergies. She encourages everyone to consult with their physician first.
