Pollen nation: Allergies flaring for folks across the CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Across the CSRA, a yellow film is coating cars, porches, siding, streets and almost anything that stays outside for more than a few minutes.

That’s because it’s tree pollen season.

“It’s just the pine trees trying to survive,” said News 12 Meteorologist Mikel Hannah-Harding.

The trees are doing just fine, if the powdery mess is any indication.

It’s especially bad here because over 60% of Georgia is covered by pine forests.

But experts say the thick blanket you see isn’t what’s giving you the most grief.

“Right now, everyone is seeing the green clouds and the green haze on their cars. That’s actually pine pollen. That doesn’t tend to be as much of a problem for people, but it is an irritant,” said Dr. Kathleen May.

May is a division chief of allergy immunology at the Medical College of Georgia.

She says the pollen you can’t see from things such as grass and other plants can cause some bigger issues.

MAIN ALLERGENS:

• Earlier in the spring, tree pollen is the main culprit.
• After that, grasses pollinate.
• That’s followed by weeds in the late summer and early fall.

“People are having a lot of itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing actually related to being out, especially if you’re exercising in the pollen,” said May.

Some of the most common tree pollens that cause allergies include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Grasses that cause symptoms include Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass.

Campbell Vaughn is an extension agent with Richmond County, and he says it typically takes two weeks for this to cycle through.

“By the time this rain rolls around, you may see a little bit of it. I’m eager to get it done too because I got a back porch that I want to wash, but I’m not going to do it until it goes away,” said Vaughn.

It may feel like you’re the underdog against the pollen, but experts say soon it’ll be in the rearview.

“I think we were supposed to get some rain later this weekend. I think it’s gonna wash a lot of that stuff down. Maybe knock the rest of the stuff that’s out of the tree and I don’t think we’ll see much more of it in the next week,” said Vaughn.

How to relieve allergy symptoms

The first thing to figure out is what specifically you’re allergic to, Mireku said, and many Americans are allergic to several things at once. Allergists can run tests for different triggers.

Over-the-counter treatments are available for seasonal allergies.

These include antihistamines, which block histamines, the chemicals found in some of the body’s cells that cause many of the symptoms of allergies. Additionally, nasal sprays are available. These are corticosteroids that help to reduce inflammation.

Another good way to avoid the symptoms is to minimize your exposure to the pollen.

That means staying inside, keeping your windows closed and using fresh air-conditioner filters as much as possible. It can also help to shower and change clothes after you’ve been outside.

You can also try to keep pollen off your cellphone, to keep the allergen away from your face.

For a quick clean, wipe down your phone with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or an antibacterial wipe and let it dry for 5 minutes.

Other tips include:

• Don’t share your smartphone.
• Minimize how much you pull your smartphone out in public.
• Invest in some hands-free devices that will help keep the phone away from your face.

Confusing seasonal allergies with COVID, a cold or the flu is also a possibility.

“Determining whether a patient is just suffering from allergies or is coming down with a cold can easily be done through telemedicine,” said Dr. Patrick Railey, chief of primary care at Piedmont Health. “Once diagnosed, we can discuss medications and other steps to relieve the patient’s symptoms and get them feeling better.”

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.