Allergy season has hit prime time here in Southern Alberta.

Grass pollination starts in early June but for some people they may have been facing allergy symptoms as early as April and May due to tree pollen and possibly mould.

Dr. Joel Doctor, specialist in allergies and clinical immunology, says it's possible allergies could last until the fall.

"It depends on what they're allergic to but for most allergy sufferers in this part of the country by the time August rolls around they're quite a bit better. If they're involved in farming activities then their season can extend quite a bit longer because they're involved in haying, they have much more direct interaction with plants and they can have trouble right until frost."

He says the symptoms between allergies and a cold can be similar but the biggest key distinguishing feature is itching. Patients who have hay fever get itchy eyes along with redness, swelling, and frequent sneezing. The itching may also spread to the nose, throat and ears.

Doctor says if symptoms are quite bothersome it's best to limit time outdoors, but with that not always possible remedies can be found at the pharmacy.

"For milder symptoms an anti-histamine is the starting point. There's excellent over the counter, non-sedating anti-histamines available and that will do a good job as long as symptoms aren't too bad," he says. "If more severe then they would require prescription medications like nasal sprays and eye drops. For those patients who even that doesn't work then allergy shots or desensitization would be the way to go."

He adds allergies are highly treatable and says it's best to get help instead of suffering with symptoms year after year.

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