Some students are experiencing trouble with allergies and asthma since moving to Oklahoma for college.
Oklahoma City had a mostly high pollen count for the past month with a small dip around March 27 and is still high, according to pollen.com.
“So many students from out of state come to Oklahoma and their bodies aren’t used to that,” said Rhaven Ross, staff licensed practical nurse at the campus health clinic.
Wind-pollinated trees are a substantial cause of spring allergies. Many insect-pollinated trees have been planted on campus, like Bradford pears, which do not contribute as heavily to allergy season, but Oklahoma City is home to many wind-pollinated trees, such as elms, oaks and cedars.
“The extreme cold definitely makes it worse, and, when the weather goes from being really warm to cold quickly, it can also make it worse,” said Megan Berning, acting freshman.
Sudden shifts in weather can trigger seasonal allergies, according to piedmont.org, a healthcare website.
Berning said she had asthma before college, but it has gotten worse since moving to Oklahoma from Kansas. But she said she found ways to deal with it.
“I have a couple inhalers that help a lot and long-distance running helps,” she said.
Ross said the clinic only carries samples of children’s Benadryl that run out quickly, so the best way to combat allergies is for students to purchase their own over-the-counter allergy medicine.
“Getting an over-the-counter nasal spray can help with sinus pressure,” she said.
Students may have allergies if they experience symptoms like sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and headache, among others.
Students may make an appointment with the campus health clinic by calling 405-208-5090.
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