EDITORIAL: Our cars are reminding us that it’s pollen season
Published 9:00 am Friday, March 26, 2021
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Synonymous with the first day of spring is also the first sign of pollen allergies. March 20 was the official first day of spring and the pollen did not forget.
If you have left your vehicle outside for any length of time, you have probably noticed the speckling of yellow spread almost evenly over it. Thursday’s rain helped, but we’re sure the pollen will be back.
Anyone that suffers from seasonal allergies dreads this time of year, and it seems to get worse each year. This year will no doubt feel the same.
According to American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, tree pollen became high as early as Feb 9 and has seemingly not slowed.
As the temperature continues to rise, so will the pollen count. Here are a few tips from Atlanta Allergy and Asthma for surviving those high pollen count day:
4 Keep your car and house windows closed; run the air condition.
4 Change or clean your air filters regularly.
4 Shower before going to bed or when you get home. Pollen can settle into your hair and onto your clothes and skin, so a shower will keep you from breathing in pollen all night.
4 Wear sunglasses/glasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
4 Remove shoes upon entering your home.
4 Wash off indoor pets’ paws and wipe down their fur with a damp cloth or towel if they’ve been outdoors. Pets can easily track pollen into your home, leaving it on your carpets and furniture.
4 Adjust outdoor activities accordingly.
4 If you have outdoor plans, take your allergy medication before going out. Don’t wait until you have symptoms.
For those that are heavily stricken with pollen allergies, pollen.com offers you a detailed allergy report, complete with pollen count, top allergens and a 5-day pollen forecast.
We are currently in the tree pollen season and will quickly move into the grass pollen season then finally see ragweed season in August just before first frost, which in the south seems like the day before pollen season starts.
The one good thing about pollen season is it is more evidence that summer is just around the corner.