The weather is beginning to tease us with thoughts about sunshine, warm temperatures, and spring time. For those with seasonal allergies, climate change has made for earlier and more severe seasonal allergies. The weather produces more, and to an extent, more potent pollen. For anyone with spring allergies (tree pollen), it is a good time to start taking medication.
Over the counter antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin or Allegra provide extended relief without making you drowsy. These need to be started before the season to prevent histamine release and its symptoms of itchy runny nose and itchy watery eyes. For children over 6 years, allergists also recommend nasal steroids like Flonase (fluticasone) or nasal antihistamines like Astepro (azelastine) to stable the cells in your nose that release histamine.
When the pollen starts to fly, you can also consider some other things to minimize symptoms. Keep pollen levels in the house to a minimum. Avoid takinig clothes off in the bedroom to prevent distributing pollen from clothes to the sleeping environment. Wash your face and hands when coming indoors.
And, for Spring Break travel, please note that there have been over 1100 cases of measles reported in the first 2 months of 2026 compared to 2281 for all of 2025. (these numbers probably under estimate the true number since many are not reported). South Carolina has been hardest hit, but Florida and Utah are not far behind. Cases have been reported in many more states. At this rate, we could see over 6000 cases this year and too many unnecessary deaths from measles.
If you are planning to travel to areas with outbreaks, immunization is your best protection. Please check your own status as well as your children’s. MMR is typical given at 1 and 4 years with excellent protection (93% after the first dose and 97-98% with the second). If necessary, the 2nd dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first. For children between 6 and 12 months of age, a dose can be given, but they will still need 2 doses after 1 year of age.