How to combat allergies in Colorado

DENVER -- It’s an inevitable annoyance for many of us living in Colorado this time of year.

From itchy eyes to sneezing, allergies are impacting many Coloradans.

The culprits are all around us.

"Trees are predominately the major allergens in the Spring and grasses will follow soon," said Dr. Kanao Otsu, an allergist with National Jewish Health in Denver. "Elm, Oak and Maple in this area."

Besides talking to your own physician, Dr. Otsu suggests planning ahead.

"If you know that you're going outside and you're going to be exposed to trees, then you know you react to trees, you can always take like an Allegra, like 15, 20 minutes before you go outside to limit symptoms," she said.

If you've out in the elements and your starting to suffer - consider saline nasal spray.

"It doesn't contain any medication and it's really effective.  I tell my patients, it's like a shower for the nose."

"There is a bit of a cure all, but not even doctors can prescribe it.  A snow storm would do wonders to help in the fight against allergies here in Colorado.”

If you’d like to see the daily pollen count in our area, click on this link from National Jewish Health:

https://www.nationaljewish.org/health-insights/spring-allergies/pollen-count