Spring allergy season begins

The signs of spring are popping up. Walkers shaking off the winter rust at the parks and trails. Toddlers and children fill up the playgrounds of Eastern Iowa. Nurseries are loading up as people look to purchase and plant.

“As soon as we saw warm weather, customers started coming out,” said Sarah Benter of Culver's Lawn and Landscape in Marion. “They want to start planting.”

Yet when will the March breezes lead to April sneezes? The ingredients that lead to sneezing and red eyes are coming together as well.

“Starting in late March, we recommend people start using their allergy medicine if they stopped during the winter,” said Nanette Meeker, pharmacist and owner of Central City Family Pharmacy on Main Street in Central City. She said more customers are coming in to pick up allergy medications to get ready for what's to come.

All part of a balance for people who want to be outside but hope to avoid having the pollen knock them back inside.

“Pollen counts are higher early in the morning,” said Dr. Lyla Schweiger, a Cedar Rapids allergist. “Avoid exercise in the early morning and maybe do it mid-morning or evening, that might help.”

Sharon Schanbacher of Cedar Rapids followed that up by waiting until the afternoon for fresh air.

“The grass is growing, the wind is howling. I love to have flowers but it is my enemy,” said Schanbacher. She admitted to taking her “over-the-counter medication” at 10 a.m. sharp to help before she hit the trails at Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids with a friend.

While some people are outdoors for an hour or two, Meeker said her pharmacy is also seeing plenty of people who have to spend their days outside for work, especially farmers working the fields during the spring season.

“They have more problems as well,” said Meeker. “And they're good customers!”

Avoiding pollen, or the other elements of spring, can be difficult for anyone hoping to catch that spring sun.

“Pollen can blow 200 to 300 miles away,” said Dr. Schweiger. “Anything that can pollinate can be a problem.”

By Chris Earl, KCRG-TV