Sneezy, itchy, runny nose?  Those symptoms are happening earlier this year and if you are an allergy sufferer like me, you're getting hit harder and earlier than usual.

Tree pollen counts have exploded recently, because of the consecutive days of record temperatures.  This year in 2012, the pollination period has moved up five weeks and that caused actual pollen counts to skyrocket.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Grand Rapids ranks #35 in the nation when it comes to "the most challenging place to live with Spring allergies."   While precautions can certainly be taken to ease the symptoms, allergy specialists say there's not a lot people can do to avoid the early season allergens.  I take Zyrtec daily, it's an antihistamine.  It helps with the sneezy, itchy, runny, nose symptoms, sometimes.  The best you can do is just do what you can to control the symptoms.  Sometimes antihistamine shots are an option for advanced allergy issues.