It's not too early to take allergy medication

It's still winter, but there are symptoms of spring.

“It's been the perfect storm in the past couple of weeks,” said Dr. Rohit Katial with National Jewish Health.

Dr. Katial says with the combination of tree pollen and erratic weather, it's the perfect time to start taking your allergy medication.

“This is the time to start taking whatever you normally take. Rather than waiting until you get a lot of symptoms and then reacting to those,” he said.

Katial says many of us mistake the start of viral infections for seasonal allergies.

“There has been a viral thing going around. And initially it starts out with congestion and then sneezing and people think, ‘Oh boy I’m having allergies’ but then later you get achy. Just not feeling well,” Dr. Katial said.

Either way, there are steps you can take.

“Wash the nose with a salt water rise. That's the first thing we recommend,” he said.

Also over the counter sprays and anti-histamines help. And remember, as the weather gets warmer opening the windows and airing out the house can keep you congested.