Why am I Itchy? And Other Common Spring Ailments - Legacy ER

Spring has sprung, and with it, so have plenty of health-related issues. One of the most notorious springtime villains is hay fever. More commonly known as spring allergies, this spring health issue affects almost 50 million people in the U.S. alone. That includes almost 30% of adults and 40% of children.

Unfortunately, that’s just one of many health problems that can take you by surprise come springtime. Keep reading to learn more…

One of the biggest issues for those suffering from allergies is telling the difference between allergies, the common cold, and more serious medical issues. If your spring allergy symptoms are unusually active this year, consider visiting an urgent care clinic for a diagnosis or treatment. According to a recent HealthCore, Inc. study, people who suffer from allergies could save anywhere from $50 to $400 in out-of-pocket expenses if they head to urgent care centers instead of the emergency room for relief.

But that’s not to say spring doesn’t cause its fair share of emergency situations. Spring weather and pollen can not only make allergies flare up, they can worsen asthma symptoms as well. Asthma often rears its head during the spring, and it is one of the top causes of missed school days in children ages five to 17. In fact, almost 40% of children with asthma visited an urgent care center at least once in 2010.

And there are physical hazards, too. Almost 30 million U.S. children participate in spring sports each year, which leads to upwards of 3.5 million sports injuries annually. Fortunately, urgent care centers have that covered, too. According to a BMC Health Services Research study, approximately 80.7% of urgent care clinics offer fracture treatment, including splints and casts.

Turns out spring comes with its fair share of hazards. Make sure you’re prepared.