Allergist offers tips during allergy season

Allergy season is now upon us, bringing sufferers scratchy, itchy throats, post nasal drip and a cough.

Allergist Dr. Alan Kaufman says allergy season starts in March, but peaks in May, with tree pollen causing the most issues in the area.

Kaufman said the good news is that medications are more readily available.

"All the medicine that had previously been prescription are all over the counter now," he says. "So all the antihistamines in particular Zyrtec, Claritan, Allergra, are all over the counter now."



If those don't work, Kaufman says allergy shots are available and given as an injection.



There are also oral tablets for grass and ragweed pollen. 

For those who are unsure if they have allergies or a cold, Kaufman suggests getting a painless allergy test which can be done in a few minutes.

Dr. Kaufman says allergy sufferers should be proactive, and shouldn't wait until the counts are high.

"If you start before the season, you will be better during the season," he says.