If you have allergies, you probably know you can feel symptoms any time of year, even on days like today, right in the middle of winter.
One of the reasons for this is the proliferation of mold spores in the air around Southeast Texas, and some experts say the weather around Texas lately has been good for growing those spores.
It may be hard to believe, but mold can present itself just like other allergens, with sneezing, coughing, congestion and a tickle in the throat, making it hard to isolate which particulates in the air are causing the symptoms.
The weather, which always affects allergies, has been particularly suitable for the growth of mold spores, irritating many people into sneezing attacks and sore throats.
"Unfortunately, here in Houston we have a tropical weather climate, so your allergy season can go on a lot longer than just in the spring, so our weather keeps changing," Dr. Mahool Patel of Children's Memorial Pediatrics told our TV partner Channel 2.
But despite all the new drugs you're hearing about to treat allergies, Methodist Willowbrook's Dr. Gavin La Nobel said the usual steroid sprays always help, but they work more slowly than some people like.
"Oral antihistamines, though, have faster onset in terms of benefit, but then they may come with side effects, some people may feel fatigued.
"But it's definitely worth getting assessed by someone to be sure you don't have some other condition that's sort of mimicking allergies, and then to consider additional therapies," he said.