It's the first full day of spring, time to round up the tissues, nasal spray, eye drops, medication and air cleaners, as it's also allergy season.

Dr. Kim Edward LeBlanc, Professor and Chair of Family Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center says it could be a longer and more severe allergy season than usual. 

He says the forecast is based on the amount of rain over the winter and if temperatures were warmer than usual.

Not only is allergy season starting a couple of weeks early this year, it could extend an extra month, into October.
                                                       
Avoidance of what your allergic to is your best defense says Dr. LeBlanc, but if you can't, he says don't wait until you feel symptoms to start taking allergy medication.  He says for most people it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on testing for individual allergies, unless the medication is not working for you, "But if someone isn't sure they have allergies, I think they need to see their physician and make sure you are in fact treating allergies."

Even opening the windows to enjoy a spring breeze is a no-no, as the pollen is then captured indoors to recirculate.