It is definitely allergy season in North Carolina! I've been waking up with itchy eyes more than I care to. Often they are almost glued shut before washing my face. It seems worse this year for some reason.
Here is an excerpt from our Health Plans of NC blog.
Let’s look at some of the most common sources of allergies in North Carolina and tips for reducing allergies.
Pollen
You may not realize it, but in North Carolina, we actually have three pollen seasons, including an overlap in seasons. Many people think that pollen is caused by flowers, but it’s more likely to come from trees, grass, and weeds. Unlike flowers, which rely on insect pollination, wind-pollination plants can cause significant allergies in people. The different pollen seasons in North Carolina are determined by the different types of plants that produce pollen.
Between March and June, trees typically release pollen into the air, and in North Carolina, this can peak around April. Trees that can cause significant allergies in North Carolina include oak, hickory, American beech, and river birch.
Grass pollen season typically lasts from mid-spring until fall, with the peak hitting in April and May. The most common grass types that cause allergies in NC include Bermuda grass, centipede, ryegrass, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and zoysia grasses. If you’re laying grass in your yard, consider buying tall fescue, which doesn’t usually cause allergies.
The last pollen season is caused by weeds and lasts from August until winter, usually peaking around September. While a few different weeds in NC can cause allergies, ragweed is usually the worst. People living in rural areas in Charlotte particularly tend to suffer from ragweed allergies.
Mold
Mold can thrive in humid weather, making North Carolina prone to mold in the summer months. In addition, mold spores can cause seasonal allergy symptoms for many people. Using a dehumidifier can help discourage mold growth inside your home. Mold spore counts can be higher at night, so it’s also a good idea to keep windows closed overnight.
Like a pollen allergy, some common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, cough, itchy eyes, watery eyes, sneezing, and dry or scaly skin. Some people also suffer from headaches, migraines, and rashes.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are small insects that live indoors. They’re common throughout America and aren’t just prevalent in North Carolina. Allergies can be common in young children and result in a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, facial pressure, itchy nose, and red or watery eyes. Washing bedding weekly at a hot temperature can help kill bugs and allergy-proofing your bed covers, pillows, and mattresses is also worthwhile.
Top tips for reducing allergies in North Carolina
Here are some common tips to help reduce your exposure to allergies:
Avoid cutting the grass if you can. Instead, try to get a family member to help during pollen season or hire a lawn company to cut your grass to help protect you from allergies.
Avoid going outside in the morning where possible. Between 5 am to 10am is prime pollen time, and 10 am to 3 pm is actually the worst time to be outside if you suffer from ragweed allergies. So head out in the late afternoon or early evening if you can.
Dust, wash and vacuum regularly. Regular cleaning can help remove allergens from your home, particularly dust mites.
Check pollen counts. Monitoring pollen counts online can help you plan your time outside and reduce exposure to pollen.
Understand your allergies. Consider taking an allergy test to determine what’s causing your allergies to better protect yourself.
Private health coverage
Allergy testing and allergy treatment are typically covered by most insurance plans. If you’ve met your deductible for the year, your out-of-pocket costs could be minimal, so it can be an excellent opportunity to get an allergy test to determine what’s causing your allergies.
If you decide to receive immunotherapy, it can also be worth considering starting these if your deductible has been met to keep your costs low. For most insurance plans, your deductible resets to the full amount on January 1, so timing your allergy requirements can save you money.
To check your eligibility, get in touch with your health insurance provider, or contact one of our specialized local health insurance agents to find out more.
Learn more about common allergies and ways to treat them.
As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or assistance with your health insurance.
Stay well,
❤
Tara
704-436-4136
