Pollen count today | Stay 1 step ahead of your hay fever (2024)

FAQs

Is hay fever sensitivity to pollen True or false? ›

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, is an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, congestion, itchy nose and watery eyes. Pollen, pet dander, mold and insects can lead to hay fever symptoms.

Hay fever triggers include: Tree pollen, which is common in early spring. Grass pollen, which is common in late spring and summer. Ragweed pollen, which is common in fall.

When Is The Pollen Count Low? On an average day, pollen counts rise during the morning, peak about midday, and then gradually fall. So the lowest pollen counts are usually before dawn and in the late afternoon to early evening.

People with hay fever are more likely to develop sinus infections, and can have interrupted sleep that leads to extreme tiredness. Severe hay fever symptoms can affect learning in children and productivity in adults. Hay fever can also make it more difficult to control asthma in those who are more likely to get it.

Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. When symptoms occur all year round, this is known as perennial allergic rhinitis.

The Idea Behind Local Honey for Allergies

Patients who ask him about the strategy, Rubin says, generally believe that because honey contains pollen, eating a bit every single day as a series of “tiny little exposures” will, over months, train the body to become desensitized to the allergen.

When it rains when grass and weed pollen counts are high, raindrops can hit the ground and break clumps of pollen into smaller particles. They can then quickly scatter into the air, causing a sudden increase in allergy and allergic asthma symptoms during the rain shower.

Does wearing a mask help with pollen allergies? ›

Masks provide enough protection to block common allergens, including pollen, dust mites, and mold. However, they're not an effective choice for all seasonal or other allergies. Any mask can help reduce allergy symptoms, but N95 masks are often the best choice, followed by surgical masks.

The months that are typically worse for allergies vary depending on the location and specific allergens involved. In general, spring and fall tend to be the peak seasons for allergies in many regions of the United States. During spring, especially from March through May, tree pollen is a common trigger for allergies.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. That means they could help eliminate pet dander found in the air. For more information, check the EPA's guidance on indoor air quality in your home.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens): Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.

Cities on the West Coast, such as California, Washington, and Utah, can be better choices for people with allergies. However, allergens are everywhere. Even if you move to an area that is considered better for allergies, you may still have that allergy or develop a new one.

They are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from trees, grass, and weeds. Perennial: People with perennial allergic rhinitis experience symptoms year-round. It is generally caused by dust mites, pet hair or dander, co*ckroaches, or mold.

They can diagnose a pollen allergy using a skin prick test or a blood test. Skin prick test: An allergist will use a thin needle to prick your skin with a tiny amount of pollen. They then check to see if your skin reacts to it. Your skin will turn red, swell or become itchy if you're allergic.

Hay fever is a common allergic condition. It affects up to 1 in 5 people at some point in their life. You'll experience hay fever symptoms if you have an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle.

More than 25 million Americans are allergic to pollen. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, which is in the air in spring. Others have a problem with grass pollen, which is more of a summertime issue. Still others have trouble with weed pollen, which is common in the fall.