Q. My 5- year-old daughter had such terrible spring allergies last year. is there anything I can do to prevent the same symptoms this year?

When a person with allergies is exposed to an allergic trigger such as pollen, the body releases chemicals called leukotrienes and histamine. these chemicals then cause the symptoms we classically associate with allergies: sneezing, itchy watery eyes and runny nose.

Most conventional allergy medications target these chemicals to prevent allergy symptoms. Allergy medications are most effective if started prior to the allergen exposure, ideally one to two weeks before allergy season, says the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Pollen counts can vary depending on climate and weather. in the Southeast, tree pollen will be on the rise in late February; therefore, spring allergy sufferers need to start taking their allergy medications now to get the maximum benefits.

If your child’s allergies were poorly controlled last spring, then this would also be a good time to visit the pediatrician or allergist and review her treatment plan. when pollen counts are high, it is also important to bathe children after playing outside and to keep car and house windows closed to reduce pollen exposure.

If allergy symptoms persist, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended. for more information about spring allergies and local pollen counts visit aaaai.org .

Dr. Patt is a pediatrician with Charlotte Pediatric Clinic and president of the Charlotte Pediatric Society. she blogs for MomsCharlotte.com. E-mail questions to living@charlotteobserver.com and put “pediatrician” in the subject line.

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Yesterday was nice. we actually broke the monotonous routine of being home-all-day-every-day and went for a museum visit. you see Snowpocalypse2011 didn’t hit too hard here in Evansville so roads were totally clear today and safe for travel. It was still freezing cold but all-in-all safe for travel.

A few weeks back I scored a full year family museum pass for pocket change thanks to Groupon and today we used it and had a pretty good time.

Everly had the best time wandering through the museum checking stuff out. she loves to walk around new places but we seldom let her when places are packed or super chaotic. Today at the museum it was very quiet and pretty toddler friendly so she was having a blast.

I wasn’t having quite as good of a time after the first hour or so. Pregnancy kicks my back’s ass. seriously, my back hurt all 9 months I carried Everly, complete with back labor while she was born. this pregnancy is no exception.

Walking is nice but after a while I need to put my feet up or get vertical to take the pressure off my angry back muscles. Over two hours walking various museums did me in a tad but the munchkin was happy.

Speaking of pregnancy, I am now 11 weeks along. Very close to the second trimester now, yay! we also have plans to make a day trip down to The Farm for the first of many midwife visits this pregnancy. Oh, and yes I am already gaining weight. so is Nathan.

I think we spend too many hours together, my hormones are taking over his body now too. His appetite and metabolism have sped up, like mine. He’s got my heartburn issues all the time, he is even craving stuff at random.

Problem is I dropped all my 50lbs of baby weight from Everly, he didn’t and now we are gonna add another 50lbs or so to that. he is doomed, lol. We’ve been joking about this for weeks now. Poor Nathan.

i haven't smoked anything all till yesterday morning when i smoked two bowls. also i kissed a girl i never kissed before.

Have you possibly sucked an unfamiliar co ck?

if the strep was diagnosed by your doctor, take the meds exactly as prescribed.

Since youstate you haven't smoked anything until yesterday you could have irritated something which was there before. Kissed a girl, good for you, but too soon for anything to show up. At least 5 to 7 days for strep. or anything else. May be allergies but I truly suspect it is simply irritation. Which can be bad in long term sense. Might want to have a culture done either way to be sure there is not something more going on.

sounds like a good time.. I woke up today with the same ****..