JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Spring in the Washington, DC area is famous for its lovely cherry trees, and infamous for the green haze of pollen in the sky and on our cars. For pollen sufferers it means the onset of sneezing, wheezing, itching and blowing that can go on for weeks.
Pollen is a fine powder released from trees, weeds and grasses, with the purpose of fertilizing other plants. It's carried by the wind and can enter the human nose and throat causing an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions to pollen are more than just a runny nose. They can cause severe congestion that prevents you from sleeping or even cause you to miss work or school. Often they lead to ear infections, sinus infections, hives, rashes and asthma.
In our area the tree pollen season can begin as early as February, peaks in April, but can continue into June. A long winter can delay the peak pollen counts, as has happened this spring. This could mean very high pollen counts and misery for those people allergic to tree pollen later in April and May. Other pollens rise later, like grasses in May and June, and ragweed from mid-August until the first frost.
Here are a few tips that can help you handle the expected pollen explosion and minimize allergy symptoms:
Be aware of pollen season in your area and keep track of pollen counts. Pollen count can be found on several websites to include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, www.aaaai.org,
Keep windows closed in home and car, and use air conditioning to cool and filter air coming indoors. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
Avoid outdoor activity in early morning (5a.m. to 10 a.m.) when counts are highest. If you like to exercise outdoors, do it in the evening, and not on very high pollen count days.
When coming indoors from outdoor activity, take a shower, wash your hair, and change to clean clothes before entering your bedroom.
Find someone else to do the yard work.
Use preventative medications, like nasal steroid sprays, and antihistamines regularly to help control symptoms.