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By Tiffany Goodwein

Allergy season in full swing

Allergy sufferers worry about stigmatization amid COVID-19

Jun 18, 2020 | 1:30 PM

MEDICINE HAT — It’s a time of year that brings a lot of sniffling, sneezing and watery eyes, and it’s uncomfortable for many, just ask Terry Damsgaard.

“I’m sneezing coughing, rubbing my eyes all the way to work,” said Damsgaard.

She started noticing her allergies nine years ago after having surgery and she says come allergy season, she tries everything to keep them at bay.

“I have to take Reactine, and then I get immune to it, then I take Aerius, and then I get immune to it, and then I take another brand and keep circulating,” she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic, according to many allergy sufferers, makes the typical sneeze or runny nose an increasingly awkward experience while in public.

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“What’s scary about this coronavirus right now is with my allergies I do cough. So if I’m in a grocery store, and have to cough I try to burry my head into my shirt or my arm and feel so bad because people are going to think I have this virus,” Damsgaard said.

But how do you know if it is just allergies or something more serious? Experts say there are distinctions.

“The major difference between Allergy sufferers and COVID19 is fever. If you’ve got a high fever, that’s not usually something associated with Allergy sufferers,” Daniel Coates, of Aerobiology Research Laboratories said.

And if you think this allergy season is far worse than years past, think again, said Coates.

“A lot of people think this has been a particularly bad season but it actually has not. Let me explain. Because we had that cooling off period in March and April, the season was almost delayed by almost a month, and so what happened was it warmed up more in mid-April we had more of a higher concentration level but over a shorter period of time,” he said.

Warmer weather through climate change and the use of more male trees during urbanization are also probable contributors, Coates said.

While allergy season may seem inescapable, there are ways to reduce the severity of allergy attacks.

Aside from medication, Coates says knowing what is in the air, and when is the best line of defense for allergy sufferers.

“For allergy sufferers it’s a great idea to do outdoor activities immediately after rain because the rain gets it out of the air,” he said.

“A lot of pollen production takes place in the morning but a lot of research is showing it can take place at many times of the day, but as of today we still recommend evening activities are probably a better time for allergy sufferers to go out and enjoy activities,” Coates added.

He also recommends a familiar piece of attire to help guard allergy sufferers from pollen.

“Most medical professionals are saying wear masks. It’s a great way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s also a great way to reduce allergy attacks because you are not breathing in all the pollen that you normally would be if you were not wearing a mask,” Coates said.

As for Damsgaard, she’s thinking of a more creative approach.

“My allergies do make me cough and sneeze so I’m thinking I should get a T-Shirt made up and on the front and the back and just explain, I cough and sneeze because of my allergies . I’m safe,” Damsgaard said.

(CHAT News Today)