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For many people in Clark County, the changing of the seasons brings more than just warmer weather and longer days; it also brings runny noses, coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and general discomfort.

In spring, pollen coats the ground in Clark County, aggravating chronic allergy sufferers and sometimes making them retreat indoors.

SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES

With similar symptoms to a cold, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have a cold or allergies.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are some slight differences between colds and allergies.

Itchy eyes, sneezing and runny and stuffy noses are common for allergies; coughing, fatigue/weakness and sore throats sometimes accompany allergies. General aches and pains and fevers never point toward allergies. Colds last anywhere from three to 14 days, while allergies last for weeks at a time, often during pollen season.

TREATING ALLERGIES

In early spring, tree pollen, particularly from mulberry trees, is the common culprit for pollen allergies in Clark County.

Typically, treatment involves taking antihistamines, nasal steroids by prescription and decongestants.

To determine the most successful treatment, the medical Web site WebMD suggests visiting a doctor, who can determine what is creating the reaction by doing a physical examination, taking your medical and family history and doing a skin or blood test.

Complications that can arise from allergies are sinus infections and asthma.

PREVENTING ALLERGIES

There are some preventative measures you can take to help avoid allergic reactions to pollen.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases suggests keeping allergies in mind when planting. When buying trees for your yard, consider those that do not aggravate allergies, such as crape myrtle, dogwood, fig, fir, palm, pear, plum, redbud and redwood trees or the female varieties of ash, box elder, cottonwood, maple, poplar or willow trees.

Avoid the outdoors between 5 and 10 a.m. Save outdoor activities for the late afternoon or after a heavy rain. During these times, pollen count usually is lower.

Keep your windows shut. Use an air conditioner to keep cool, particularly since the units usually have filters against allergens.

Pollen can be transferred inside by people and pets.

The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management provides an online pollen report at www.ccairquality.org.