CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
You know the symptoms: itchy, watery eyes. Scratchy throat. The dreaded nose blowing. Yep, it's allergy season once again, folks.
Dr. Michael Elsey of Concentra Urgent Care Center in South End, says they're already seeing an uptick in allergy sufferers.
"A lot of them think they have colds and turns out to be underlying allergies that are the root of their problems," he said.
The difference? A cold typically last 5 to 7 days. Any longer and you should get to your doctor, pronto. If not, Dr. Elsey says you could be looking at something more serious.
"Once you get the congestion inside the nasal passages, that's what kind of sets up the bacterial infections that result from that," he said.
Things like ear or sinus infections that can only be treated with a prescription.
Allergy season will only get worse according to a new study released Tuesday by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
The study revealed global warming is to blame.
It also shows the pollen count was just over 8,000 in 2000 but is expected to triple by 2040 to 21,000.
Dr. Elsey isn't surprised and says that's why you should start taking medicine as soon as your allergies flare up.
"As soon as you start to notice your symptoms, whether it be it be itchy eyes, watery nose, itchy nose, those kind of things to go ahead and start some kind of medication treatment as soon as possible," he advised.
Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.
