Tips for getting through spring allergy season

NEW YORK (WPVI) -- It is finally starting to feel like spring - that is the good news. The bad news is that for allergy sufferers, this may be one of the worst seasons in quite some time.

Remember all the snow that we got? That gave the trees a lot of good water to produce a lot of pollen. The fact that winter held on for so long is also not going to help things.

"The season is going to start late, but it's going to be intense, so I expect a very concentrated, probably a briefer season, but more intense and severe for our springtime allergy sufferers," says Dr. Sherry Farzan of North Shore LIJ.

Even Dr. Artemio Jongzo, an allergist who suffers from allergies himself, says this season seems different already.

"I've noticed that my eyes and my nose have really been bothering me more so than usual," says Dr. Jongzo.

Another unique thing about this allergy season is doctors say people who thought they don't really have allergies may realize they actually do.

"A lot of time people don't know if it's just a cold or feeling under the weather, but now maybe with the intensification of their symptoms, they might realize this is not just a cold," says Dr. Farzan.

To avoid exposing yourself to too much pollen here are some things you can do.

Doctors say to keep your windows closed both in your house and while driving. Also, try to avoid going outdoors in the early morning and late at night when pollen levels are the highest. Mowing lawns will also not help allergies.

"When you get home, take off your shoes, run into the shower and wash the pollen off of your hair and your skin so you don't spend the night with the pollen and wake up in the morning with symptoms again," Dr. Farzan adds.

Asthma sufferers should heed the same advice. Doctors say they may also notice this is a particularly difficult spring.