Late Allergy Season Expected To Be Intense

Was it just six weeks ago that we experienced driving rain, snow and unrelenting cold temperatures? Dubbed the "polar vortex," we didn't know when it would end."Now spring has arrived and according to most experts, we're headed for another vortex--"the pollen vortex". I'm telling my patients to be prepared for the onslaught of a bad allergy season. According to the Washington Post this pollen vortex will consist of "a tidal wave of pent-up pollen could be coming our way as the area heads towards the height of allergy season this month."I know, I know. What's a New Yorker to do? Well, for starters whether you're staying in the city or going cross-country, know what pollens to watch out for. Here's a sample of the 10 top pollens to recognize and the regions they predominate according to Warren V. Filley, MD a spokesperson for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:Hayfever--comes from beautiful plants and trees growing in your neighborhood. It's an allergy, that is unfortunately, widespread in many regions of the country. It's hard to avoid, but try to stay away from it mid-day.Ragweed-- about 75% of Americans who are allergic have this allergy. You'll see it in the fields, riverbanks, roadsides of the Midwest and Mississippi River basin. You see it around the fall and summer months.Mountain cedar--it's in the mountainous areas of Arkansas, Missouri, parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Appears in the spring.Ryegrass--you find it in dry, cool lawns, meadows and pastures. Predominates in the northern parts of the United States in spring and summer.Maple--it's found in areas along streams and woods. Found all over the eastern United States and Canada. It peaks in the early spring. There's a lot of it in New York.Elm--found in cultivated and wetland habitats. It is widespread in the eastern and midwestern regions. Also found in New York, especially in city parks and along streets. In the spring it is known as American Dutch Elm. In the fall, lace bark elm.Mulberry--you see it in woods and river valleys. All over the eastern US. The season stretches from winter to summer. The pollens are from cherry and crabapple tree blossoms and contributes to hayfever.Oak--found in wooded areas. The states that predominate are the Coastal Plan from Texas to Virginia, and Florida. It's season is spring time and oak trees produce the most pollen for the season.Tumbleweed--found all over the western and northern US. It's season is spring to fall.Arizona cypress--wherever you'll go in the southwestern US, you'll find this. It appears during the spring although the pollens can last for six or seven months throughout the year in some yearly cycles.To learn more, visit http://www.nycallergydoctor.com/allergy