Tree, Weed Pollen On The Rise Across Georgia This Spring

GEORGIA — You may find yourself saying “bless you!” more often as you walk around town, according to AccuWeather’s 2022 spring allergy forecast, giving Georgia residents a heads-up on what to expect as spring comes into full bloom.

For many, spring is a welcome time of rebirth. But we promise you, the budding trees, blooming flowers and fresh green grass all but guarantee misery, sneezing and suffering for people with seasonal allergies.

AccuWeather said in the forecast released last week that Georgia can expect high pollen counts in late March. This was confirmed by Atlanta Allergy & Asthma on Thursday when it said in its daily pollen and mold report that the pollen count is 987 on Thursday, with tree pollen in the high range and pollen from weeds in the moderate range. This is the 16th day the count has reached the high range this season and the highest count so far for spring 2022, the group said.

According to the National Allergy Bureau, the "high" range for tree pollen begins at 90. At these levels, people with allergies, particularly to tree pollen, will begin experiencing symptoms. The main tree pollen contributors on Thursday are pine, oak, hackberry, sweet gum and walnut.

Tree, grass and weed pollen will likely be about normal in many parts of the country, but there are exceptions. According to AccuWeather:

Tree Pollen

Moderate temperatures and multiple rounds of rain in the Southeast are likely to make tree pollen “worse than anywhere in the country,” especially in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Grass Pollen

For much of the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, grass pollen could be a huge concern from April to June, according to the forecast.

Weed Pollen

Weed pollen is likely to be a problem along the Eastern Seaboard, as increasing temperatures and moisture create an ideal environment for weeds to grow.

Check Your Daily Allergy Forecast

Numerous sites across the internet offer weekly or even daily allergy forecasts. An allergy tracker from pollen.com gives you a glimpse of the current allergy forecast according to city and metropolitan area.

Other popular allergy trackers include The Weather Channel and the National Allergy Bureau.

The A To Z Of Allergies

Confused by seasonal allergy lingo? Here are a few keywords to watch for when you find yourself with a case of spring sniffles:

• Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction in a person who’s sensitive to it.
• Antihistamine: A medication that prevents symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose.
• Decongestant: Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissues to relieve symptoms such as swelling, congestion and mucus.
• Hay fever: An allergic reaction to pollen from ragweed, grasses and other plants whose pollen spreads on the wind.
• Neti pot: A device that looks like a small teapot, a neti pot is used for nasal irrigation. In other words, it’s used to flush out mucus and other debris from your nose and sinuses to improve breathing.
• Pollen and mold count: A measure of allergen amounts in the air. The counts are usually reported for mold spores and three types of pollen: grasses, trees, and weeds.

Preventing Allergic Reactions

Here are some suggestions to nip allergies in the literal bud, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
• Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don't hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear a pollen mask if you do outside chores.

If Pollen Counts Are High

Here are a few other things you can do to head off an allergic reaction:

• Check the allergy forecast for your town.
• If high pollen counts are forecast, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.