Allergy season arrives in Kamloops

Mar 22, 2016 | 5:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Other than warmer weather and the sound of lawn mowers, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and scratchy throats are sure signs Spring has hit the Southern Interior.

Manshadi Pharmacy in Kamloops is seeing a number of patients with seasonal allergies.

Pharmacist and owner Missagh Manshadi says the difference between allergies and a cold are that all of the symptoms come at once.

“Season allergies, sneezing, runny eyes, nose, itchy eyes, ears, irritating in throat, and usually they all come at once, where as cold they all come one after another. And colds usually last between 7-10 days, but allergies last longer, as long as you’re exposed to allergens you’ll have symptoms of the allergies.”

In Kamloops many people often experience allergies to the grass, tree pollen, and mold. There are a number of over the counter medications to treat allergies, such as Benadryl, Reactine, Allegra, and steroid nasal sprays.

“If we have allergy to pollen’s, maybe we can wash our clothing that we went outside, can take a shower twice a day. Can take antihistamine  pills a week before allergy season starts or right away.