Unusually warm weather has pollen returning a bit earlier
Winter is not over, but allergy season is getting a head start with unusually warm weather this time of year.
The area tree pollen count has been “extremely heavy” throughout the week, topping 1,500 every day since Monday, according to the Houston Health Department.
Grass pollen also hit the “heavy” threshold earlier in the week.
Low temperatures, meanwhile, have hovered in the low 70s, about 20 degrees warmer than usual this time of year, meteorologists say.
Dr. Evan Li, assistant professor of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, reminds allergy sufferers to start their regimen of nasal spray and other overthe-counter allergy medication.
The warmer weather usually brings people outdoors more often, and prolonged exposure to allergens can lead to eczema or asthma, he said.
“As long as the weather stays unseasonably warm, regardless of the time of year, there will be allergens in the air,” Li said in a news release.
It is safe to take nasal spray or allergy medications twice a day, if symptoms persist, he said.
Li also recommended supplementing allergy defenses with distilled water sinus rinses, using neti pots, squeeze bottles or electronic machine options.
Masking, especially with N95s and respirators, and allergy eye drops also can help, he said.
Parts of the Houston metro area were expected to see rain Thursday night, but it was not expected to be enough to wash away a significant amount of pollen, said Matt Lanza, meteorologist and editor of Space City Weather.
The forecast shows temperatures easing off this weekend before rising again next week.
It is difficult to say whether a possible cold front later in the month will make an impact in amount of pollen circulating, he said.
Overall, he said, for people who suffer from allergies, “it’s just going to suck for the next several weeks.”