Pollen.com
Sneezing? Itchy eyes? Coughing and trouble catching your breath? It is an allergy, hay fever. Every spring the same signs and symptoms return. This year, however, it has arrived weeks early.
The recent warmth that the residents of Rochester and Monroe County enjoyed was also enjoyed by local plant life. The trees, shrubs and other plants responded to the thaw and are growing and producing pollen in copious amounts. That means an early and a severe allergy season for sufferers in Rochester.
Pollen counts in Rochester are produced by Donald W. Pulver, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical School. Counts break down into tree, grass and weed pollen, and the appearance of each type of pollen varies by time of year.
Tree pollen is the allergen currently filling the air. Maple, box elder, ash, cedar and juniper trees are the most abundant, and as of the latest count, are in high concentration. Weather.com is forecasting very high levels for much of this week as is Pollen.com.
According to one Federal government publication, the symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, runny or clogged nose, coughing, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, watery eyes and red, swollen eyes. Treatment for the symptoms can be found in many over the counter medications and often include antihistamines, decongestants nasal rinses. Physicians can prescribe stronger symptom relieving medications. Using testing, they can also determine which allergens are affecting you, and may be able, through a series of injections, reduce or eliminate the allergy altogether.
Prevention of allergy symptoms is more difficult. Staying indoors and using an air filter rated to remove pollen are the two best options. Pollen can linger on clothing so clothes worn outside should be laundered frequently. Showering and washing hands often will also reduce the pollen the allergy sufferer is exposed to.
So, keep some tissues handy, see your doctor, and try to enjoy the lovely weather between sneezes.
Comments