Allergy Forecast: Here's The Pollen Making Charlotte Miserable

CHARLOTTE, NC — The misery that is springtime in North Carolina is in full force this week, as blossoming plants mean puffy eyes, scratchy throats and non-stop sneezes. And, according to forecasters, this weekend in Charlotte is about to see elevated rates of pollen.

Most allergen forecasts break down the causes into three categories: tree pollen, grass pollen and ragweed pollen. According to the allergy forecast from weather.com, tree pollen rates are ranked "high" Thursday and grass pollen rates as “very high” in four out of the next six days. Thankfully, ragweed pollen is not considered an issue.

For now, the culprit is grass pollen, which will be running rampant into early next week. Meanwhile tree pollen is expected to reduce to “moderate” levels Friday, April 26 through Tuesday.

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 too well.

With grass pollen acting at the highest rate in these next few days, it might help to avoid grasses that are known to spur the most acute allergic reactions to pollen, which include Bermuda, Johnson, Kentucky, Orchard, Redtop, Rye, Sweet vernal and Timothy, according to Webmd.

Here's how AccuWeather suggests you can relieve symptoms:

• Stay inside in the morning
• 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.

Patch Editor Gus Saltonstall contributed