Allergist anticipates another tough season for allergy suffers

Sneezing, coughing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes are common for many allergy sufferers this time of year.

CoxHealth physician Brett Hronek, MD, who specializes in allergy and immunology, anticipates those who are allergic to weeds might want to pick up an extra box of tissues though this season.

“We’ve had a lot of rain again this summer which is a good indicator that we will have a lot of weeds during the late summer and early fall months,” Dr. Hronek said.

September and October is when weed pollen typically peaks, especially ragweed, which means allergy suffers could be in for a long couple of months.

“It is hard to predict what type of allergy season we will have, but the quantity of rain we receive can impact the amount of weed pollen that is in the air,” Dr. Hronek said. “Weeds are also in the air until the first freeze, so if we have a long fall, we can also have a long allergy season.”

Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroids may help with sneezing and mild cases of runny nose. If allergies are severe or interfere with day-to-day activities, it’s best to seek help from an allergist.

“An allergist can help identify which specific allergens are causing symptoms,” Hronek said. “An allergist can design a treatment plan to significantly improve the patient’s symptoms and quality of life.”

To schedule an appointment with a CoxHealth allergist in Branson or Springfield, call 417-875-3742.