Tree pollen count soars to ‘extremely high’ levels

Doctors say proactive approach helps keep allergies under control.

Warm spring days in Atlanta can be lovely, but they can make life miserable for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

And at the moment, the tree pollen count has soared to “extremely high” levels, according to the latest measurements released Friday by the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s pollen counting station, which is certified by the National Allergy Bureau.

“We live in Atlanta, which has a lot of trees and a lot of green areas, which is great and has a lot of health benefits,” said Dr. Pedro Lamothe, an Emory Healthcare pulmonologist. “But these trees have a lot of pollen, and that pollen can stay in the air for a certain period of time and create some congestion and irritation to people who are allergic to them.”

The Weather Channel’s 15-day allergy forecast predicts tree pollen will remain at this level for the next several days, with the exception of a slight dip to moderate levels on Tuesday.

Allergy seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer due to climate change, experts say. Lamothe said it remains to be seen whether we are at the peak of the season, with a variety of factors including temperature, humidity and wind determining the intensity of the season and how long it will last.

The yellow and green dust on your car — and everywhere — is a sign we are in the throes of pollen season in Georgia. But that’s likely not what’s causing your allergies go haywire.

Tree pollen is the most common trigger of spring allergies. But contrary to popular belief, flowering trees such as cherry trees are usually not the problem. It’s the hardwood trees, including oak, hickory, birch and red cedar. They have light, powdery and often invisible pollen causing the most havoc. These hardwoods produce lightweight pollen that can be carried by the wind, sometimes over vast distances.

Symptoms from seasonal allergies can include severe headaches and brain fog, preventing people from enjoying spring-like temperatures outdoors and even sabotaging their sleep.

Dr. Lily Hwang of Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, a large allergy practice in Georgia, started seeing a rise in patients suffering from seasonal allergies earlier this month.

She recommends that those tormented by allergies regularly check daily pollen counts. Severe allergy sufferers should try to stay indoors on the windiest, driest days, because the pollen is usually higher than after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. High pollen days, she said, are not the time to go for a run or do chores such as lawn mowing, weed pulling and gardening — all of which can aggravate pollen allergies.

If you’ve been outside a lot during the day, pollen is on your body and clothes. Upon arriving home, immediately take a shower and change clothes, Hwang advised.

Whenever pollen counts are high, make sure to keep your doors and windows closed, she also recommended. You can keep your indoor air clean by using high-efficiency air filters on air conditioners, using a dehumidifier, putting an air purifier called a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter near your bed, and cleaning your floors often.

Ideally, Hwang said, allergy sufferers should have started taking medication at least two weeks ago. It’s best to start taking medication a couple of weeks before your allergy symptoms typically arrive.

But the medications also can be taken as needed during the season. You’ll just have to be patient (and likely suffer a little longer) before they fully kick in.

Nasal steroid sprays are often the best first treatment option. They block inflammation and swelling caused by airborne irritants and allergens, and prevent allergy symptoms. Overthe-counter steroid nasal sprays include triamcinolone (sold under the brand name Nasacort); fluticasone (Flonase or Flonase Sensimist); and budesonide (Rhinocort).

Lamothe said there is no onesize-fits-all approach to coping with spring allergies. He said an important first step is determining what is the culprit.

He recommends that those who get hit hard by spring allergies have a plan in place — and be proactive — to keep seasonal allergies under control.

“Taking your allergy medications as scheduled and prescribed is very, very important,” he said. “A lot of people only take medications when they have really bad symptoms, and really these medications work better to prevent them than to get rid of them. So I start my allergy medications — my nasal spray, my antihistamines, my eye drops — a few days in advance so that by the time I am hit with those allergens, my body is already primed and prepared to receive them and is not going to respond exaggerated to that stimulus and then my symptoms are going to be much, much better controlled.”

Lamothe, who also has asthma, said being more proactive has helped him manage his allergies better. He describes his symptoms in the “moderate” range. Even so, he said, on some spring days when the pollen count is high, he chooses to stay inside to avoid exacerbating his allergies — even when Atlanta is beautifully in bloom.