Accuweather Mold Count (2024)

FAQs

Why do I have allergy symptoms when my pollen count is low? ›

The opposite can be true, too: The pollen count might be low, but you might find yourself around one of the pollens that triggers your allergies. Through testing, an allergist can pinpoint which pollens bring on your symptoms.

Pollen counts of 50 or less are considered low, while 1,000 or more is very high⁵. These measures can differ slightly according to pollen type. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, pollen count can make a big difference to how severe they are.

Visit the National Allergy Bureau at AAAAI.org/nab for pollen count information. Visit airnow.gov for Environmental Protection Agency air quality alerts. Both websites also have apps available for smartphones and tablets.

Be sure you're drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated during allergy season. "Studies have shown that when you're dehydrated your body produces higher histamine levels and that drives allergies," Ogden said.

This means allergies and immune system function are inherently linked. Allergic reactions cause inflammation throughout your body. This is part of your immune system's natural defense mechanism, but if left untreated, chronic inflammation can contribute to disease and poor immune system health.

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2. Watch the Clock. Depending on your allergy, you may want to avoid certain parts of the day. Ragweed counts usually peak in early midday, while grass pollen counts are higher in late afternoon and early evening.

The worst month for allergies will vary based on where you live. Across the United States, May typically is the worst. In May, most of the country sees elevated pollen counts. This includes both trees and the beginning of some grass pollens.

Do pollen allergies get worse with age? ›

Changes in the Immune System: As we age, our immune system begins to weaken. This can make it more difficult for the body to fight off allergies. This means that older adults are more likely to experience allergic reactions to everyday substances like pollen and dust.

Tree pollen is the first pollen to appear each year in the United States. It is responsible for most spring pollen allergy symptoms. It also often overlaps with grass pollen in the spring and summer.

They're called "seasonal allergies" because each type of pollen has a season where they're most potent. Here's a general timeline of common pollen seasons: March through June is tree pollen season. June, July, and August is usually when the grass pollens are high, sometimes into September in a warm year.

In 2024, Wichita, Kansas was named the worst city in America for allergies due to its higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average medicine use, and limited access to allergy specialists, the foundation said.

States with a lot of trees, grass, and weeds will have a lot of allergens. Areas in the Northeast U.S. like Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Virginia, Kansas, and Texas have a high rate of allergens.

Allergies and Vitamin D

Furthermore, research shows that vitamin D can activate certain regulatory immune system cells that prevent the release of chemicals that cause and worsen allergic diseases. 1 So a deficiency in vitamin D may inhibit this regulatory mechanism, which may worsen or trigger allergic disease.

How can you build immunity to seasonal allergies? The best way to build a tolerance to seasonal allergies is through immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy will expose your body to small amounts of what you are allergic to. Over time you will become desensitized and stop reacting when exposed to allergens.

Causes of pollen allergies. For all allergies, the immune system reacts to specific allergy trigger molecules (allergens). Your immune system produces antibodies that detect the allergen and cause inflammatory reactions and the release of a chemical called histamine.

Triggers of nonallergic rhinitis can include: Irritants in the air. These include dust, smog and cigarette smoke. Strong odors such as perfumes also can cause the symptoms to start.