WHEELING – Those suffering from relentless sneezing, a runny nose and itchy throat may be dealing with a seasonal allergy.

Now that the weather has warmed and plants are blooming, tree pollens are plentiful in the Ohio Valley air. Dr. Krishna Urval, an allergist with the Ohio Valley Asthma & Allergy Institute in Wheeling, said early spring is when trees’ growth begin to take off. Any type of flowering tree can cast off pollen.

“It’s so light it can actually flow in the wind. On a windy day you can get pollen from a tree a mile away,” he said, adding by mid-May, grass pollens come up and last through the end of June.

Urval said people can combat seasonal allergies by limiting their outdoor exposure during high pollen times, such as when it is sunny or windy. People may also want to wear a mask outdoors to filter the air.

When spring arrives, many people want to “air out” their homes by opening doors and windows. But with this fresh air also comes pollen. Rather than opening up the house, Urval said it is best to run one’s air conditioner because it will help filter the air.

For those who still need help, medicines may be necessary. The most common drugs are those containing an antihistamine. Many people take Benadryl, but Urval said it does not last long and its side effects can be undesirable.

“It can make you drowsy. Even if you don’t feel the effects, it can still affect your reaction time,” Urval said. “Twenty-five milligrams (of Benadryl) is like drinking a bottle of beer. It’s been shown to affect reaction time. People don’t realize it until it’s too late, until they’re in a dangerous spot.”

Other medicines that are long-lasting and do not make one sleepy include Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin, which are now sold in stores without a prescription. He said there are also store brands of those medications that work just as well. Any allergy medicine with a “D” after its name means it also has a decongestant. Urval said people with high blood pressure should avoid decongestants as they can make their blood pressure even higher.

Some medicines are good for specific symptoms, such as Nasacort or Flonase nasal sprays for a stuffy nose.

“There is a steroid in it, but the amount is so little that it’s not absorbed by the body too much,” Urval said.

Those who are not sure which medicine is best for them and their symptoms should consult a doctor.