Since she returned from her Spring Break in Sarasota, Laura Longobardi has not breathed easy.
Longobardi, a UF zoology student, said her nose runs when she wakes up, when she's in her classes and when she's asleep. Getting a good night's rest has been hard lately, she said.
She hasn't visited a doctor, but she said she knows exactly what's to blame because it's all over her car - pollen.
Gainesville has experienced high pollen levels for the entire month, causing allergy flare-ups for many residents, according to the Weather Channel. Allergy sufferers can expect better conditions toward the end of April.
Oak trees provide most of the city's pollen during the spring months, and right now is a typical time for oak pollination, said Dr. Phillip Barkley, medical director of the UF Student Health Care Center.
For people who don't normally suffer from allergies it can be hard to distinguish between allergy symptoms and the common cold, Barkley said.
"I'm not a person who is allergic to anything," Longobardi said. But the pollen has been irritating.
Coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and an itchy throat, nose and eyes are all typical allergy symptoms, said Dr. Belen Tan, an allergist for the North Florida Regional Medical Center.
If you've experienced symptoms for weeks, it's probably allergies, Tan said.
In past weeks, many of her patients have complained of itchy eyes, she said.
Barkley said he recommends non-sedating anti-histamine drugs and nasal washes for those suffering from allergies.
Keeping windows closed and changing the air conditioner filters can also help relieve symptoms, he said.
Longobardi, however, said she doesn't run her air conditioner. Instead, she opens her windows to conserve energy.
She said she knows doing so may contribute to her symptoms.
"It's frustrating," she said as she sniffled. "My nose hurts."
