Wet winter weather may affect Halifax allergy sufferers this spring

HALIFAX – Winter is slowly withering away, but one group of Haligonians may be sad to see it go — allergy sufferers.

As the weather has improved the last few days, people with seasonal allergies say they can feel the difference.

“The leaves and flowers are starting to come out. I get itchy eyes, even swollen lips,” said Maggie Pershick.

Pershick takes a prescription to subdue her allergy flare-ups, which include itchy and red eyes, a runny nose and a scratchy throat.

“I couldn’t go through a normal day of activities without taking an antihistamine,” she said.

Dr. David Richardson, a botanist and former dean of science at Saint Mary’s University, said the wet winter Halifax endured may be a factor in what happens this allergy season.

“The fact we’ve had a long, cool winter means that rather than a few trees coming into bloom early, like the willows, the pollen coming out from alder trees or willows will be pushed together with the pollen coming out from the maple, oak and other trees,” he said.

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He said the most important thing is not the weather that has already passed, but what is still to come.

“If we get a warm, dry spell, all the trees are going to shed their pollen over a short period. We’ll have a lot of pollen coming into the air over the next six weeks or so, and those who are allergic will suffer,” he said.

Dr. Greg Rex, a specialist in allergy and clinical immunology at Halifax Allergy and Asthma, said the coming months may be difficult and tricky for those with seasonal allergies.

“When people are allergic to pollen, they inhale it and their immune system will recognize it as something that’s bad for them and react against it,” he said.

“That will cause the release of inflammatory mediators and then swelling in the airway, itching, sneezing and general misery.”

Rex said tree pollen will be at its worst from late April through to May while grass pollen will be the worst in June and July.

He suggests people with pollen allergies avoid hanging their sheets out to dry during the spring and summer, run the air conditioning in their houses and avoid being outdoors if possible.

Pharmacist Sabrina McLean of Mackay’s PharmaChoice said now is the time for people to prepare themselves against pollen.

“Ideally you could take antihistamines — a once a day, non drowsy one — now before the season starts. If you can prevent that reaction from happening, you’ll be one step ahead,” she said.

“Once the drug is in your system, it only takes a couple days, then you should be good.”

McLean also suggests other options including antihistamines like Benadryl, eye drops and nasal sprays.