Sudden spring sprouts allergies for sufferers

BOSTON — The sudden onset of warm weather in April is making pollen levels surge and allergy season is getting off to a rough start for many in New England.

When it comes to allergies, Marco Cabrillana hit the allergy jackpot. You name it, he's allergic to it.

“Tree pollen, grass, weeds -- those would be my worst ones,” Cabrillana said.

As soon as leaves and flowers on the trees sprout, the symptoms show up.

“I get itchy eyes, post nasal drip -- which is probably the worst symptom that you can get,” he said.

This year, Cabrillana is bracing for a very watery, uncomfortable spring and summer.

His allergist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dr. Mariana Castells, is predicting a severe allergy season.

Here's why: She says when there's no gradual temperature warm-up, pollen levels go from 0 to 60.

“The weather has been cold, the pollen has been holed into the trees and into the ground. When the weather is hotter, it just airbornes the pollen,” Dr. Castells explained. “The concentration of the pollen is what gives people symptoms.”

In other words, the pollen is being released from the trees into the air all at once -- leading to exceptionally high pollen levels.

But Dr. Castells said there are things you can do about it. In addition to the over-the-counter medication, there are new immunotherapy treatments, including allergy injections and tablets for people who don't like shots.

Her best advice: meet with an allergist before your symptoms get worse.

“It is easier to treat when symptoms are kind of mild than when symptoms are out of hand,” Castells said.

Cox Media Group