Spring allergy season in full swing with pollen counts ‘very high’ in Sask.

It appears spring allergy season is officially here.

The Weather Network’s Allergy Outlook is reporting pollen counts to be “very high” in Regina and in Saskatoon from Wednesday through Friday.

Family physician Carla Holinaty said there are a few things people can do if they are sensitive to allergens.

“The big easy thing you can do is keep an eye on things like the pollen forecasts, which most weather forecasting services will include,” Holinaty told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Wednesday.

Holinaty said people with sensitivities to allergens should stay inside when the pollen forecast is high.

“You can also wash your clothes or change your clothes after you’ve been outside to try and avoid bringing all those pollens into your house, into your carpet, and your furniture,” she said.

She also encouraged people to filter the air in their homes.

“So (use) furnace filters, air conditioning filters (or) portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in your bedrooms to try and keep the amount of pollen you’re breathing in lower,” Holinaty said.

The most common relief for seasonal allergies, Holinaty explained, is taking oral antihistamines.

“I would use newer allergy medications over older things like Benadryl,” she said. “Benadryl has been around for a long time, but has worse side-effect profiles than the other medications.

“We can also use things like steroid nasal sprays to try and decrease the amount of inflammation (and) stuffiness mucus that you’re making. Then you can sometimes use decongestants, but we usually suggest those only for short-term use.”