It’s that time of the year again: watery eyes, a stuffy nose and constant sneezing. You know what that means…it’s allergy season.

According to www.pollen.com, allergies are increased sensitivities to foreign substances that cause the human immune system to overreact when defending itself. One of the most common allergens (causes of allergies) is pollen. Pollen is the yellow dust you see on those little strings lying around outside. In 2017 New Jersey has seen a high pollen count ranging from 9.7 to 12 grains per cubic meter of air. You can also trigger allergic reactions from breathing in or touching allergens, ingesting food or drinks, medication injections, pet dander and the venom of insect stings.

Common symptoms of allergies include sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, coughing, itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, itchy throat, stomach ache, itchy skin, hives, fatigue, and irritability. Other common allergies include eczema, hay fever and asthma. The medical impact allergies have on the body can vary from mild discomfort to life-threatening.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms constantly at this time of year, talk to your parents or doctor because there are ways to alleviate the discomfort.