It’s been an exceptionally warm winter,  one of the warmest on record, meaning seasonal allergies are going to come sooner rather than later. Experts are predicting this could be one of the Spring allergy seasons since plants and flowers did not have a true dormant time and bloomed exceptionally early. If one looks outside grass is already green, and flowers coming out. What does this mean for allergy sufferers? Read on to learn more about concerns, who is at risk, and prevention tips.

Healthy Tip Tuesday is brought to you in partnership with Trinity Health Systems.

What exactly are allergies?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances that generally do not affect other individuals.

These substances or allergens, cause:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itching
• Allergic reactions range from merely bothersome to life-threatening.

Allergies have also been associated with chronic conditions like sinusitis and asthma.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can develop an allergy to anything at any point in their life from milk, to medication, or poison ivy.

Can allergies be prevented?

The CDC indicates that allergies can generally not be prevented but allergic reactions can be. Once a person knows they are allergic to a certain substance, they can avoid contact with the allergen.

Stay in the know when it comes to allergies:

• The most common allergic diseases include hay fever, asthma, conjunctivitis, hives, eczema, dermatitis, and sinusitis.
• Food allergies are most prevalent in young children and are frequently outgrown.
• Latex allergies can occur so make sure providers are using non-latex gloves.
• Bees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants can cause insect sting allergies.
• Allergies to drugs, like penicillin, can affect any tissue or organ in the body.

Other tips to lessen your chances of an allergic reaction:

• Wear a hat and sunglasses outside.
• Pants and long sleeves will limit exposure to pollen.