If you go outside these days in North Carolina, it’s hard to believe it is still technically winter with the spring-like temperatures we have been experiencing. In Charlotte alone, temperatures this February have been nine degrees higher than the average for this time of year. With that warmer weather, it's not just the plants that are blooming.

It's also allergies. Just ask Seth Kingdon. He's been experiencing them the last couple of weeks with the warm temperatures. "Allergies, they are not a lot of fun. You wake up and your eyes are itchy. You sneeze all the time, about 20 to 30 times a day for me. My throat is raspy. You can maybe hear a little bit of it right now, but it's a struggle,” said Kingdon.

Those allergies can even impact his favorite activities. "Definitely when I run, that is the biggest trigger. When it's windy and the wind hits, and all the pollen comes off the trees, and you breathe it in and you start sneezing, and your eyes itch, and your eyes are red in the morning,” said Kingdon.

Carolinas HealthCare System's Dr. Ryan Shelton says many are feeling the effects of the warmer weather.

"We're definitely seeing allergy symptoms sooner this year than we do typically. We've had a really mild winter, a lot more dryness and warmer nights, which have led to earlier pollinations of trees. So, if you're allergic to tree pollens, that's what you are feeling now. People will have itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, some post-nasal drip, maybe itchy, scratchy throat, sometimes, itchy skin even,” said Dr. Shelton.

Dr. Shelton says there are steps you can take to lessen the symptoms.

"When we're outside, we're picking up all these different pollens; we're breathing it in, but it's also in our hair, on our clothes, so changing, rinsing your hair more often, washing your pillowcase every few nights, so you're not just sleeping in the pollen, but then there are some over-the-counter medications that really help and the trick is to start on those early,” said Dr. Shelton.

Dr. Shelton recommends walking later in the day versus early in the morning. Kingdon, who loves to run, has a daily decision to make, saying, “I have to weigh the factor of do I run outside with the pollen or do I stay inside and not suffer the consequences?"