With spring flowers like azaleas, forsythias, cherry blossoms, and magnolias starting to bloom, everyone is enjoying the season and beautiful flowers.

However, an unwelcome guest has also arrived with the lovely spring flowers: pollen allergy.

Without exception, a ‘pollen allergy warning’ has been issued this year with the calendar flipping over to April, the time of the year when pollen levels are the highest.

A pollen allergy is an allergic disorder caused by pollen that induces more than two of the following symptoms: nasal discharge, nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing. It can also cause afflictions such as allergic rhinitis that lasts more than one hour per day, eye inflammation that irritates and inflames the eyes, and asthma.

As pollen levels peak between 6:00 and 10:00 AM, you should avoid morning workouts or other outdoor activities during this time frame.

Some might be concerned that they will not be able to enjoy the flower-blooming season, something they can enjoy only during spring time, due to the pollen allergy warning.

The size of pollen from spring flowers such as cherry blossoms, however, is too large and heavy to be easily blown around by wind; this means they are unlikely to cause allergies. What a relief!

The majority of pollen comes from trees including alder trees, birch, Japanese cedar, and oak. Pollen starts to spread in the air from March, and pollen levels reach their height in April.

Allergic reactions that return every spring! Let’s look at a few great ways to prevent allergies everyday.