How pollen count is affected by the weather
Many plants need help with pollination and propagation. Insects are by far the most important pollinators, but birds and even lemurs can also transport pollen from one plant to another.
For those who suffer from pollen allergies, the ability to enjoy spring weather is often spoiled by sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Luckily, there are many ways to keep pollen allergies in check.
One of the easiest first steps is to know when to expect your pollen allergies to start bothering you, and to do that, you need to understand the connection between pollen and the weather.
Photo by David Clode
David Clode
Most of us learned all about pollen in high school biology classes. In case you need a refresher, pollen is how plants reproduce. Male flowers release the fine, powdery substance into the air. It is then carried by the wind, insects or animals to a female flower that is ready to be fertilized. Each grain of pollen is almost microscopically small, usually yellow, and pretty sticky.
People who suffer from pollen allergies have a tougher time in the spring because this is the season when plants reproduce. That means pollen is pretty much everywhere: in the air, getting on your clothes, floating through the windows you keep open to enjoy the pleasant temperatures of the season and building up on your car windshield. The nicer the weather, the more likely you will be to be bothered by pollen. That doesn’t mean there’s more pollen when the weather is sunny and warm, it just means there’s not as much preventing it from reaching you and triggering an allergic reaction.
What does this mean to allergy sufferers? If you check the upcoming forecast for your area and know that a spell of “good” weather is coming, be sure to take your allergy medicine before the pollen starts to trigger an allergic reaction. Most people take allergy medicine when they first notice the symptoms, but many doctors believe that pre-treatment may help you avoid a reaction altogether.
Photo by Julian Ebert
Julian Ebert
When the spring weather is rainy or cold, you probably will notice that your pollen allergies aren’t as bad. That’s because cold and wet days usually have a lower pollen count. A steady rain shower also washes away pollen that builds up on outdoor surfaces when the weather is dry.
The only allergy sufferers who aren’t likely to feel relief on cold or wet spring days are those who are allergic to grass, weeds or mold. The pollen released by grass and weeds actually increases after a rainstorm as the water droplets break the pollen into even smaller particles. This situation is most likely to happen as a result of heavy rain.
Another weather factor that negatively impacts all allergy sufferers in the spring is wind. That’s because pollen, mold, dust, and dander are more harmless to you on the ground than they are when they travel through the air on a windy day. When these irritants are in the air, they will get into your nose, eyes, and lungs and cause problems. If your allergy attacks are severe, consider wearing a mask on windy spring days, or even consider staying inside.
Photo by David Clode
David Clode
Pollen allergies don’t go away as spring turns to summer. But the type of pollen in the air does change, so you might or might not have a reaction depending on what you’re allergic to.
In general, trees generate more pollen during the hot and dry days of summer. As the moisture in the atmosphere is lower, these tree pollen particles will remain suspended in the air.
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Check your local pollen forecast and take precautionary measures accordingly.
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If your allergies hit the same time of year, be prepared for it and take your allergy medicine before you notice the symptoms.
-
If your allergies are really bothering you, take a shower to wash away the pollen that’s built up on your skin and hair. Also, change your clothes.
-
If your spring allergies are really, really bad — or worse than they have been in past springs — visit your doctor. Allergies can change over time and it’s best to know what you’re dealing with rather than suffering unnecessarily.
Photo by Jaël Vallée
Jaël Vallée
Pollen can definitely spoil the pleasures of spring for allergy sufferers. But, if you are prepared and take a few precautions, you can enjoy the weather outside without fear of a pollen attack.
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News / AccuWeather Ready
How pollen count is affected by the weather
By Staff, AccuWeather
Many plants need help with pollination and propagation. Insects are by far the most important pollinators, but birds and even lemurs can also transport pollen from one plant to another.
For those who suffer from pollen allergies, the ability to enjoy spring weather is often spoiled by sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Luckily, there are many ways to keep pollen allergies in check.
One of the easiest first steps is to know when to expect your pollen allergies to start bothering you, and to do that, you need to understand the connection between pollen and the weather.
Photo by David Clode
What is pollen?
Most of us learned all about pollen in high school biology classes. In case you need a refresher, pollen is how plants reproduce. Male flowers release the fine, powdery substance into the air. It is then carried by the wind, insects or animals to a female flower that is ready to be fertilized. Each grain of pollen is almost microscopically small, usually yellow, and pretty sticky.
Photo by Mak
Spring weather and pollen
People who suffer from pollen allergies have a tougher time in the spring because this is the season when plants reproduce. That means pollen is pretty much everywhere: in the air, getting on your clothes, floating through the windows you keep open to enjoy the pleasant temperatures of the season and building up on your car windshield. The nicer the weather, the more likely you will be to be bothered by pollen. That doesn’t mean there’s more pollen when the weather is sunny and warm, it just means there’s not as much preventing it from reaching you and triggering an allergic reaction.
What does this mean to allergy sufferers? If you check the upcoming forecast for your area and know that a spell of “good” weather is coming, be sure to take your allergy medicine before the pollen starts to trigger an allergic reaction. Most people take allergy medicine when they first notice the symptoms, but many doctors believe that pre-treatment may help you avoid a reaction altogether.
Related:
Photo by Julian Ebert
Why “bad” weather equals relief
When the spring weather is rainy or cold, you probably will notice that your pollen allergies aren’t as bad. That’s because cold and wet days usually have a lower pollen count. A steady rain shower also washes away pollen that builds up on outdoor surfaces when the weather is dry.
The only allergy sufferers who aren’t likely to feel relief on cold or wet spring days are those who are allergic to grass, weeds or mold. The pollen released by grass and weeds actually increases after a rainstorm as the water droplets break the pollen into even smaller particles. This situation is most likely to happen as a result of heavy rain.
Another weather factor that negatively impacts all allergy sufferers in the spring is wind. That’s because pollen, mold, dust, and dander are more harmless to you on the ground than they are when they travel through the air on a windy day. When these irritants are in the air, they will get into your nose, eyes, and lungs and cause problems. If your allergy attacks are severe, consider wearing a mask on windy spring days, or even consider staying inside.
Photo by David Clode
What to expect as the spring turns to summer
Pollen allergies don’t go away as spring turns to summer. But the type of pollen in the air does change, so you might or might not have a reaction depending on what you’re allergic to.
In general, trees generate more pollen during the hot and dry days of summer. As the moisture in the atmosphere is lower, these tree pollen particles will remain suspended in the air.
What to do in pollen season
Check your local pollen forecast and take precautionary measures accordingly.
If your allergies hit the same time of year, be prepared for it and take your allergy medicine before you notice the symptoms.
If your allergies are really bothering you, take a shower to wash away the pollen that’s built up on your skin and hair. Also, change your clothes.
If your spring allergies are really, really bad — or worse than they have been in past springs — visit your doctor. Allergies can change over time and it’s best to know what you’re dealing with rather than suffering unnecessarily.
Photo by Jaël Vallée
Pollen can definitely spoil the pleasures of spring for allergy sufferers. But, if you are prepared and take a few precautions, you can enjoy the weather outside without fear of a pollen attack.
Report a Typo