"What’s To Blame For This Year’s Unusually Strong Allergy Season?" - Dr. Max Gomez
Spring allergy season is back with a vengeance, and for many people, that means sneezing or itchy eyes. If you feel like your symptoms are especially bad this year, you’re not alone. Gregory Levitin, MD, senior faculty of otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of vascular birthmarks and malformations at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, said the past two weeks may be the busiest he’s ever had. The reason is that we’ve had a cold April followed by a sudden hot spell that caused trees, grass, and weeds to bloom and release bursts of pollen all together. “Take a nighttime shower so you’re not rolling around in pollen all night while you sleep,” said Dr. Levitin. Saline nasal rinses help, and several non-sedating antihistamines are now available over the counter.
- Gregory M. Levitin, MD, Senior Faculty, Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Vascular Birthmarks and Malformations, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai