Snowstorm expected to arrive with spring will put a damper on problematic pollen

Spring and a snowstorm might arrive simultaneously this weekend. That may be disappointing if you’ve been getting use to the warm weather,

But some allergy sufferers may be looking forward to the last slap of winter.

Allergy specialist Dr. Leonard Bielory, who tracks the pollen count in New Jersey, said the weekend storm should provide some temporary relief for those who are allergic to the pollen that’s been coming from trees a few weeks sooner than usual.

“This will actually suppress it by three to five days that we will have a delay. It will scrub the air. People will feel clear air,” he said. “They won’t have their sneeze, wheeze, or itch of their eyes or nose.”

As it gets warmer again, Bielory predicted the tree pollen will be more troublesome.

“The last week in March and the first week in April people going to start feeling pollen, and then the third week in April, it’s going to be quite noticeable,” he said. “My advice for everybody — if you have any sensitivity, get to see the allergist now because it’s coming.”

Dr. Catherine Monteleone, an allergist at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, advised reducing your risk of pollen problems by closing your windows and staying inside in the morning when pollen counts are the highest.

“Wear sunglasses so the pollen is not getting into your eyes as much. Come in after you’ve been outside, change your clothes, take a shower, get the pollen off of you,” she said. “Those kind of things can help … and starting medication. There are lots of over-the-counter allergy medications to try. And if that doesn’t work, then you can see your doctor.”