Pollen count off the charts

The pollen count in Cape Town has reached a new record at almost five times the level regarded as “very high”.

The amount of tree pollen in the air is 14% higher than a decade ago‚ the University of Cape Town Lung Institute said on Tuesday.

Tree pollen levels had surged to a whopping 235 grains per cubic metre‚ the institute’s allergy unit head, Jonny Peter‚ said.

A count of less than five grains is considered low‚ while a daily count greater than 50 grains is considered very high.

Peter said plane‚ pine‚ cypress and oak tree pollen were the main culprits as the trees entered their flowering cycle.

“The good winter rain followed by unusually warm weather early in September offers a likely explanation for these high concentrations of tree pollen‚” he said.

“Knowing what type of pollen is released into the atmosphere will help doctors to make the right diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.” Weekly counts are available at www.pollencount.co.za

Peter recommends staying indoors when pollen counts are very high and to keep windows and doors closed.

Pollen is typically worst on hot‚ windy afternoons.

Pollen allergies affect an estimated 20%-30% of South Africans, with symptoms including an itchy‚ runny or congested nose, scratchy eyes, sore throat, postnasal-drip, fatigue and dark circles under the eyes.

The Herald reported earlier in September that sufferers will soon be able to track the daily tree, grass and weed pollen count in Nelson Mandela Bay.

A crowdfunding initiative was launched on September 6 to enable Peter’s unit to buy more pollen traps, including for Port Elizabeth, with each trap costing about R150,000 to maintain over a year.