Sneezing Season Is Here

Sept. 21--Sneezing, sniffling, itchy eyes--if you have mold allergies right now you're probably miserable.

During the summer, millions of mold spores are emited every hour from a single bale of hay. In Kansas, there's no shortage of hay, and as a result, there's no shortage of allergies.

But mold isn't the only culprit right now. Weeds like ragweed and Russian thistle are all releasing their seeds right now. And that has patients making regular visit to the doctor for help. "I dope myself up with Allegra, nasal spray, eye drops," said Aenea Harbis.

Doctors say part of the reason allergens are so high right now is because of an unusually wet August. The record rain last month helped temporarily wash the air clean, but it also helped plants like ragweed grow bigger. Add moisture, and you make mold. "Patients got a break in August because we had the alternating days of rain, but when that stopped and dried out then it was Katie bar the door, and people really having a lot of trouble," said Wichita allergist Dr. Tom Scott.