Fluctuating temps, rising pollen counts could be reason for allergy distress
BEAUFORT CO., SC (WTOC) - Thursday's weather was warm today as temperatures got up to the high 60s, but that won't last long as temperatures are expected to drop going into Friday.
Doctors in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire are saying the back and forth, cold and warm temperatures could have some negative effects on your body. Doctors said the warm and cold weather can worsen allergy, and even asthma, symptoms.
“One day I feel like I'm clear. Like today, it's nice and warm, and I feel like I'm clear. I can breathe. The next day, I can't breathe through my nose at all," Lindsey Snyder said.
Every time the weather changes, our bodies and sinuses have to adjust. When the air is dry and it's cold outside, some people are more congested, and when it's warm out, your lungs are more relaxed and your mucus is more fluid."Sometime's my nose is just a faucet. It just drips and I just keep a box of Kleenex in my car and purse all the time," Snyder said.
This back and forth can make allergy symptoms feel worse. Dr. Thomas Beller specializes in allergies, and he said pollen can be a factor too. On days like Thursday, when it's warm, the pollen count goes up, but many people won't really be affected until the temperature cools down again.
"Sometimes some of the worst seasons are those where we have rapid fluctuating temperatures, because you get a little bit of the worst of both worlds," said Beller. "The warm days driving the pollen counts up and the cold days are actually exacerbating the symptoms through different mechanisms. So sometimes seasons like this, when the weather's going rapidly up and rapidly down, are times when my phone rings the most."
Beller said over the counter allergy medications are the best way to combat the symptoms caused by the fluctuating temperatures.
“If the symptoms are mild, then typically things like oral anti-histamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, are very helpful," he said.
Or, if the symptoms are more severe, a simple sinus rinse can help your body balance the changing weather.
“Flushing the sinuses not only helps flush the mucus and get mucus moving, but it also flushes out some of the pollen that's sticking in there and creating some of the symptoms," Beller said.
Antibiotics may be needed to treat sinus infections, so if you've tried these methods and they don't work, Beller recommends you see a doctor.
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