The yellow “cloud” that appeared on the horizon near Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Saturday morning was not an illusion. The weather conditions, breezy and dry, allowed the pollen to cluster and travel slowly through town.
Tree pollen is being recorded at very high levels across the United States. The south is currently experiencing record high levels. Since recordings began in 1991, Atlanta, Ga. experienced its highest levels since 2013, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Jean Owen, practice administrator at Allergy & Asthma Specialists in Owensboro said that pollen count samples are taken daily from a spore trap located on the roof of Brescia University’s science building. The samples are then analyzed, recorded as high, medium or low and sent to AccuPollen, a mobile app with markers for pollen count, molds, grasses and weeds.
Currently, in Owensboro, all maples are pollinating, as well as willow, birch, elder, juniper cypress and some sweet gum.
“Sporadically we see pine pollinating,” Owen said.
Pollen clouds depend on the concentration of trees, Owens said, and when there is a higher concentration of trees, more pollen is released and travels through the air.
“Usually, what we see in our area, is when people go outside they see their car or their patio furniture has the yellow-greenish dusting on it from the pollen,” Owen said.
Rain helps wash the pollen away, but with the blooming season just beginning, allergy relief won’t come soon.
Owen said there are several tips for reducing pollen exposure for allergy sufferers.
Keeping doors and windows shut when the pollen count is high is one way to help allergy sufferers. Washing your hair at night will help rinse the pollen out and keep the residue off your pillow. Clothing also picks up pollen, so making sure all items are washed helps the spread as well.
Pets are also blamed on allergies, but if the pet is outside, he is also a pollen-carrier, so he may need more baths during pollen season.
If you must work outside, wear a mask, which keeps pollen out of the nose and mouth.
Over-the-counter nasal saline rinses keep pollen from sticking inside of your nose. Antihistamines also help, but if the over-the-counter dosage is not providing relief, ask your doctor for a prescription or reach out to an allergist for an evaluation.
Warmer temperatures, the beginning of growing season and climate change are all factors to consider concerning longer allergy seasons.
“The evidence so far is preliminary, but it points to a confluence of factors that favor longer growing seasons for the noxious weeds and other plants that trigger seasonal allergies and asthma attacks,” explains Charles W. Schmidt, a climate change writer. “When exposed to warmer temperatures and higher levels of CO2, plants grow more vigorously and produce more pollen than they otherwise would.”
The Weather Channel provides pollen count and allergy levels for the Owensboro area daily so people can take precautions.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology also tracks pollen and spore levels for the United States with three stations in Eastern Kentucky.
Owen said the AAAI is also conducting research on climate and allergens.
