Doctors give tips to help avoid mold and ragweed allergies

CARBONDALE -- A change in seasons may bring flu-like symptoms, but doctors say blame allergies. Local doctors have some recommendations that may help avoid what this season brings.

Sneezing, stuffiness, and red, itchy, watery eyes, are all common allergy symptoms this time of year.

"This is definitely ragweed season," says Dr. Ronald Mings.

Mings, with Southern Illinois Allergy & Asthma Center, says it started in late summer.

"This year it did come out on August the 15th. Over the last several years it tends to run over a little bit longer. It now goes up into mid-October, peaking usually around Labor Day," explains Mings.

But ragweed pollen may not be the only problem.

"Seasons are starting to change so now we're starting to see more mold starting to be present," adds Carrie Eldridge, Director of Health Education for Franklin Williamson Bi-County Health Department.

Dr. Mings says mold creates a problem, particular with vegetation in crops and during harvest time, putting mold spores in the air. He has a few suggestions that will help prevent problems with allergies.

"Filter things out, so for the pollens and the mold spores, just having the house shut up, doesn't have to be cold, but just having the house shut up, markedly reduces the counts per 10,000 fold or greater," says Dr. Mings.

He also recommends keeping a window air conditioner on and avoiding contact with animals, if possible, and use medication.

"Most of the medication is symptomatic to try to control the symptoms, antihistamine should be started before allergy season," says Mings.

"By the end of the first year 90 percent of the people with house dust, mite, cat and pollen allergies are at least 50 percent improved or better. Then the second year it's better," says Mings.

If you're unsure of what you're allergic too, allergists offer either a skin test or blood test.

Experts say the actual flu won't show up until around late October or November.

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