🌸 Here’s What Your Allergy Specialist Wants You to Know (Before You Sneeze Again)

At Hopium Health, we’re all about staying one step ahead of the sneezes, sniffles, and itchy eyeballs that spring (and fall... and sometimes summer) love to deliver.

So we’ve pulled together the freshest advice straight from the nation's top allergy specialists—because when it comes to allergies, "winging it" usually ends in a tissue avalanche.

Let's dive into what the experts want you to know in 2025—and how you can breathe easier.

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1. Get Tested. Seriously.

Before you start grabbing random allergy meds off the shelf like you’re shopping for snacks, get tested. Dr. Osman Dokmeci, MD, allergist and fellow of the ACAAI, says:

“No. 1 on the list: get an allergy test by a board-certified allergist. Before you reach for those over-the-counter medications, stop!"

Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to means targeted, smarter treatment—not a random guessing game with antihistamines.

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2. Start Early. Really Early.

According to Dr. James Tracy, DO, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:

“Small changes can make a big difference.”

Start allergy medications 2–4 weeks before allergy season kicks off. Think of it like putting up storm windows before the hurricane, not during.

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3. Track the Pollen Parade