Watch: Pollen Season Arrives in the Midlands Early

The blooming flowers and blossoming trees are a sure sign of spring, but so is the yellow pollen covering cars and flying through the air causing a headache for some residents.

“When the pollen came like it did everything went from like 100 to 500 so I hate it,” said Shionya Williams.

Williams says she suffers from allergies year-round and she takes several over the counter medications to help ease the allergy symptoms, especially this time of year.

“I can go from talking to you like this to maybe five minutes later sounding completely muffled, sneezing and all that so I don’t stay outside too long,” explained Williams.

According to physician Dr.Greg Black, a mild winter and lots of rain is what is bringing pollen season to the midlands early this year, causing allergy sufferers to feel the symptoms before the peak of spring hits.

“You see a runny nose, congestion, post-nasal drip, a cough, sinus pressure, sometimes headaches and those symptoms can be stimulated by breathing in those pollens outside but it also can go on for several hours even if you move indoors,” said Dr. Black.

Dr. Black recommends treating sinus symptoms with an over the counter medicine, in particular a nasal spray, to be taken every day for at least 2 weeks.

“A lot of patients will take the nasal spray for 3 or 4 days not feel particularly better and then they’ll stop, it’s better to take it for about 2 weeks and after those 2 weeks if it’s working for you I recommend you stick with it for the spring time and if your better in the summer it’s safe to stop,” explained Dr. Black.

Dr. Black says if you do not feel better after several weeks of over the counter treatment, it is best to contact your physician.