Itchy, tearing eyes, and blocked and runny nose, sneezing, a tickle at the back of the throat, and possibly trouble breathing. Is this COVID-19 or seasonal allergies? The first way to tell them apart is timing. If youâve been like this every allergy season and you are only now developing the symptoms, seasonal allergies are most likely. Treatment is symptomatic: over-the-counter antihistamine oral meds, eye drops, corticosteroid nasal sprays all have a role to play. If your trigger is tree or grass pollen, itâs too late for anti-allergy shots or under-the-tongue meds to work as they need to be taken a while before this part of the allergy season starts.