Unusually warm winter brings early allergy season.
ATLANTA -- The unusually warm winter weather is bringing an early start to the tree allergy season in metro Atlanta.
"This is new to me," said Dr. David Tanner, an allergist with the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic. "It means people who are tree allergic will start seeing symptoms now, when typically they wouldn't have symptoms until the first week of March.
A tree pollen count above 80 is considered significant, and the readings this week have been three times that in the high 200s, with elm, alder and some cedar popping early.
Dr. Tanner said he hasn't seen a rush of patients, but he knows they're coming.
"I don't think people realize their symptoms are due to allergies," he said. "They're probably thinking, I've got a cold. As it persists for the next week or two, it will dawn on people this can't just be a cold."
Dr. Tanner said over-the-counter antihistamines, like Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin, will work well for patients with mild allergies.
He said other patients will need decongestants or prescription drugs, including immunotherapy.
Dr. Tanner said the early start to the tree pollen season won't bring an early end to it. He expects a "prolonged" season this year.