Allergy Forecast: NYC Is Being Hit By High Rates Of Tree Pollen

NEW YORK, NY – Spring misery has officially arrived for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers for which the blossoming plants mean puffy eyes, scratchy throats and non-stop sneezes.

And this weekend is about to see elevated rates of pollen.

According to the allergy forecast from weather.com, tree pollen rates are ranked "high" on three of the next five days – and it's not dipping below "moderate" at any point during the span. It's predicting it will continue until at least the middle of next week.

Most allergen forecasts break down the causes into three categories: tree pollen, grass pollen and ragweed pollen.

For now, the culprit is tree pollen, which will be running rampant in the coming days. Meanwhile grass pollen and ragweed pollen are clocking in at either low or non existent rates from Thursday, April 25th to Tuesday, April 30th.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the most common symptoms of allergies are sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat and eyes, and wheezing. It's a list that people with allergies know all to well.

With tree pollen acting at the highest rate in these next few days, it might help to avoid trees that are known to spur the most acute allergic reactions to pollen, which include Ash, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Elm, Hickory, Mountain elder, Mulberry, Oak, Pecan and Willow, according to Webmd.

Here's how AccuWeather suggests you can relieve symptoms:

• Stay inside in the morning

"Pollen counts are highest in the early morning, between 5 and 10 a.m.," Robert Sporter, a doctor at ENT & Allergy Associates in New York City, told AccuWeather.

• Keep indoor air clean

Keep windows closed, filter the air by using air conditioning.

• Avoid certain foods

Some people with severe pollen allergies may have trouble eating raw and fresh fruit.

• Carry an allergy relief kit

Including over-the-counter products such as antihistamines and eye drops.