High Pollen Count Hits New York

I've been treating a lot more patients this year than in the past, suffering from spring--and now--summer allergies. This is due to the late snow fall, which delayed the onset of spring. When the inclement weather subsided, there was a sudden burst of pollen, now called the "pollen tsunami."Pollen is small particles from tree, grasses and weeds, carried by air currents, lodging in people's noses and throat. It causes an allergic reaction known as allergic rhinitis or pollen allergy.Pollen count is measured by the amount in the air at a specific time. The highest count of these airborne particles is in the early morning on warm, breezy days and the lowest during chilly, wet periods. In addition, thunderstorms can exacerbate allergy woes by producing windy conditions that proceeds storms, stirring up dust, mold and pollen causing respiratory problems.Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include: sneezing and runny nose or clogged up nose; coughing; itchy eyes and throat; watery eyes and conjunctivitis(an inflamation of the membrane that line the eyelids). Also, in some people, allergic rhinitus may induce bronchial asthma.My patients ask me what they can do to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies. I tell them the following: remain indoors in the morning when outdoor pollen levels are low; on sunny days where you have to work outdoors, wear a face mask; visit the beach where there is very little pollen; air out cabins and rooms that have been locked up for the winter since they may contain mold spores, use airconditioning and filters in the home and car; and if symptoms persist for over two weeks, contact an allergist who will provide you with the right medication.