Spring is in the air. While we’ve all looked forward to sunnier days and warming temperatures, it’s important to be on alert for common ailments that come with the change in season.

Here are some of the most common spring illnesses you should be aware of and how to prepare for them.

Spring ailments

Runners and cyclists may be excited to exercise outside now that the temperature is more forgiving, but it may come at a cost. “We see a lot of patellofemoral syndrome and plantar fasciitis once people are active and start running or doing outdoor activities again,” said Dr. Jane Sailer, Medical Director of Centivo Care.

Patellofemoral syndrome is known as “runner’s knee” and is a condition in which the cartilage under the kneecap is damaged due to injury or overuse. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, patellofemoral syndrome is often remedied with at-home treatments such as switching to low-impact activities (like riding a stationary bike or swimming), resting, icing, compression and elevation.

Plantar fasciitis, on the other hand, occurs when a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot becomes inflamed, leading to heel pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people recover from plantar fasciitis within several months with non-invasive treatments. These may include icing, stretching, modifying or avoiding activities that cause pain, using over-the-counter pain relievers or working with a physical therapist.

Dr. Sailer’s advice for resuming outdoor activities: Be honest about where you are. “If you’re increasing your outdoor physical activity, you can’t pick up where you left off back in October. Start low and take it slow to avoid strain or injury.”

Spring illnesses

There are many illnesses to be on the lookout for once spring arrives:

  • Asthma: Seasonal changes can lead to asthma flares or other respiratory illness flares.
  • Allergies: Spring may look beautiful, but for allergy sufferers, blooming plants can trigger major symptoms. “Start taking daily allergy medication, like Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec, in early March, or at least one week before seasons change,” Says Dr. Sailer. “Nasal steroid sprays like Flonase are also helpful and underutilized for allergies.”
  • Hay fever: While hay fever symptoms may mirror a common cold or seasonal allergies, seasonal allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever) is an allergic sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from trees, grass and weeds. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid hay fever, but taking allergy medicines before exposure to allergens can help.
  • Tick-borne illnesses: Illnesses transmitted by ticks, such as Lyme Disease, tend to peak in the spring. Adult ticks are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. We recommend stocking up on bug spray with DEET to ward off ticks in the spring and summer months. If you have pets, be sure to check them after being outdoors.

How Centivo Care can help

Most seasonal illnesses can be managed at home. But if your symptoms don’t improve with over-the-counter meds or you develop a fever, check in with your Centivo Care provider.