Getting Ready for Spring

With the first day of spring around the corner, and the Farmer’s Almanac calling for cooler than normal temperatures, thoughts of the season’s activities come to the fore, and it is worth thinking about some seasonal health concerns that may arise.

Budding trees, bushes and flowers release pollen into the spring air. Moreover, a rainy spring can promote mold growth, leading to symptoms that last well into summer. You can combat spring allergies with medicines. So start your allergy medicines about two weeks before you expect symptoms, to get your defenses geared up, and follow pollen counts online or through your local weather forecast.

Like seasonal allergies, asthma can flare up in the spring. Common triggers include pollen, air temperature changes, yard fertilizers, and insect repellants. Don’t forget potential indoor triggers from spring cleaning, such as dust and cleaning chemicals. Contact your doctor if you have trouble controlling your asthma symptoms or need your rescue inhaler more than twice a week. ***Remember to use your peak flow meter to check your asthma control. You can buy a meter at your local pharmacy or drug store.

As warmer temperatures lure everyone outdoors, we know that deer ticks also appreciate the change in weather. Deer ticks (which transmit Lyme disease) become active when temperatures rise above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to avoid tall vegetation, use tick repellant, and perform tick checks after you have been outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Then watch for symptoms, such as rash or fever, over the next few weeks.