For some, spring means a welcome relief from winter temperatures. But, for others, the season brings more misery through allergies than any illnesses they face during colder months.

Allergy season, WellStar East Paulding Pediatrics Dr. Kelly Davillier said, usually begins in early March and lasts through early June. Last year, she said, 615 patients visited the facility for allergy-related illness.

The symptoms, Dr. Daviller said, can be mistaken for a common cold. However, she said, there are some characteristics.

“Usually a cold will last one to two weeks, can be accompanied by fatigue or fever, but not with allergies,” she said. “Allergies are chronic and the most common symptoms we see are runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing, watery and itchy eyes.”

Treatments, Dr. Davillier said, vary based on symptoms, severity and age. The first step toward beating allergies, she said, is to avoid initial contact with the trigger.

“Triggers can be anything, so be aware of your surroundings, and when the symptoms happen, what you are around,” she said. “That is the first thing to try.”

The second option, Dr. Davillier said, is medication.

“Most common medications are the nasal sprays and then there are oral medications,” she said. “Most of the over-the-counter medications are also recommended for children and are cheaper than some of their prescription counterparts. You can also try nasal irrigation with a saline solution too.”

Some of the medications recommended over the counter are Zyrtec and Clairton, and the nasal sprays.

Medications like Benadryl, which make users sleepy, are used less often.

When over the counter medication doesn’t work, Dr. Davillier said sufferers should see a doctor, preferably an allergy specialist.

If a child is under six months old, she said the situation may call for a different approach.

“You have to see a pediatrician if they are younger than six months, and what we try to do then is identify the triggers, avoid them and treat with nasal irrigation,” said Dr. Davillier.

Villa Rica also has allergists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of West Georgia, 690 Dallas Highway.