Allergies, Inside & Out

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

When Pollen Falls

Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI

Is it the start of outdoor sneeze season? That depends on where you live, what the weather’s been like recently, and, of course, what you are allergic to. If you’re not allergic to ragweed, even a high ragweed-pollen count won’t bother you. If you are, just a medium count might make you miserable.

Springtime and allergies go hand-in-hand, but some trees start to pollinate as early as January and some flowering plants pollinate all the way until the first frost. The farther south you go, the earlier pollination tends to begin.

Trees

• Bottom third of nation: January to June
• Middle third of nation and Northwest: February to June
• Top third of nation: March to June
  
  

Grasses

• Southeast and Southwest: March to October
• South: April to September
• Northeast, Northwest, Midwest and Great Plains: May to August
  
  

Ragweed

• Florida and extreme southern Georgia: July to November
• Deep South: August to November
• Northwest: No season
• Rest of the nation: August to October
  
  

On any given day, the amount of pollen depends on weather conditions (wind currents, humidity, rainfall) and time of day. Counts tend to be at their lowest during wet, chilly periods and in the evening hours; highest in the mornings, and on warm, dry, windy days.

What’s the pollen count for trees, grasses, and ragweed in your town right now? Find your local Allergy Forecast.

What's Next: Manage Your Allergies

• Meet the Allergens
  
• Home: Your Allergy-Free Zone
  
• Keep Your Pet!
  
• Love the Outdoors Again
  
• Sneeze-Free Gardening
  
  

Review date: 08-03-2009