Allergies in the Central Valley

For many people,  spring is the time to go for a walk, be outdoors, and enjoy the warm weather with family and friends. However,  for many others, spring brings uncomfortable seasonal allergies.

Isabella Rosales, a Fresno State student, is one of the many people who struggles with allergies in Central Valley.

“I usually feel very congested. I get like a runny nose. My eyes get really watery. My face just feels like really heavy. I am sneezing all the time, and I just feel really down. I just take a Claritin some type of medicine to get rid of my allergies,” Rosales said.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation says Americans spend $18 billion a year to fight allergies. Even when the symptoms might be the same, the remedies vary. Some cases can be treated with over the counter medicine, while others need more complex treatment.

Caitlin Groll, a sign language interpreter student, has struggled with allergies most of her life. With time, they have become more severe, and the treatments needed to change.

“I do immunotherapy right now I go once a week to get shots in both of my arms, with an antigen that is formulated with what I am allergic to. And then it supposes to help my system to learn to not react to that allergen,” Groll said.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include:

• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• watery and itchy eyes
• itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
• ear congestion
• postnasal drainage

Here are some recommendations by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation for over the counter allergy medicine. But if the symptoms persist, visit your doctor.

-XYZAL
-BENADRYL
-ZYRTEC
-CLARITIN
-FLONASE