Dr. Thomas Yadegar and Other Allergists Discuss Strong Allergy Season

2017 may be one of the worst allergy seasons on record and it is hitting earlier this year with high winds and explosive (beautifully floral) brush containing high yielding pollens.

"All over the country we have seen record rainfall this season.  We still have a month left of winter yet grass is sprouting, leaves are growing and flowers are blooming.  Add warmer than normal temperatures to the mix and this is the perfect recipe for an early allergy season. Allergy season usually begins with the start of Spring in March, yet many may start their symptoms as early as February if they are allergic to what’s blooming."

According to Healthline, the worst offenders are:

• ragweed: throughout North America
• mountain cedar: Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas
• ryegrass: throughout North America
• maple: throughout North America
• elm: throughout most of North America
• mulberry: throughout the United States (but rare in Florida and desert regions of the country)
• pecan: Southeastern United States
• oak: throughout North America
• pigweed/tumbleweed: throughout North America
• Arizona cypress: Southwestern United States

Allergy Prevention Tips

Over 67 million Americans suffer from allergies every day. Pollen.com is your resource for an up-to-date local pollen count for every state across our nation.

We don’t want allergies to control your life. Severe allergy sufferers: get the up-to-the-minute local pollen count you need to help plan your daily activities…so you can take your allergy medication when it matters…before the allergies start.

• Keep your windows closed in your home and car to avoid letting in pollen, especially when the local pollen count is high. Set your air conditioners to re-circulate in your home and vehicle, to avoid drawing in outside pollen-rich air.
• The pollen counts are the highest between 5am and 10am, so limiting your outside exposure during those times can be extremely helpful for diminishing your allergies.
• Limit exposure on mornings that are especially warm and dry; these will usually be the high pollen count days. Days that are dry and windy also have high pollen counts. The best time for outdoor activities is immediately following a heavy rainfall.
• Avoid line drying your clothes and bedding outdoors when your
  local pollen count is high.
• Wash your face and hands after you’ve been outside to remove pollen. Also, change and wash clothes if they’ve been exposed to pollen.
• Bathe and shampoo hair daily before going to bed to remove pollen from hair and skin in order to keep it off your bedding. Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
• Minimize contact with items that have come in contact with pollen, such as pets and people that have spent a large amount of time outdoors.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen, and in severe allergy cases, wear a facemask when daily pollen counts are extremely high.
• Visit your allergist or doctor to see if the allergy shot is for you. Be consistent with your allergy medications for best results.
• If you’re traveling, check our allergy forecasts for your destination. Also, be sure to check out our helpful traveling tips for allergy suffers.