Pollen Count: What it Means to You
Pollen count numbers are something you should check every day. Knowing the local pollen conditions gives you the information you need to protect yourself. Some days you might cough and sneeze a just a little. Other days you might barely be able to speak through your swollen throat, or breathe through your congested nose. Yes, your pollen allergy symptoms can wreak havoc on your otherwise strong, healthy body. However, you can learn to combat disturbing local pollen count reactions with the right over-the-counter or physician-prescribed pollen allergy treatments. Our website provides you with pollen numbers for the Gainesville GA area.
How Pollen Counts are Measured/Determined
Many allergy patients ask “how are pollen counts taken?”.Scientists generally position pollen counters on the tops of buildings to measure the pollen count throughout a 24-hour period. These counters are usually tall glass tubes with internal slides that have been coated with petroleum jelly. Over the course of the 24-hour period, the pollen falls into the counter and attaches to the petroleum jelly-covered glass piece. The pollen identification expert removes the sample and counts each individual type of pollen. Then, he or she calculates how much of each type of pollen is in the air for that day. For example, if numerous oak pollen counts are noticed, the scientist will declare a high oak pollen count for the region. If a small amount of grass pollen is found in the sample, the scientist will most likely announce that the grass pollen count is low. Pollen scientists can also assign a medium pollen rating to a particular type of pollen found in the sample.
Why Pollen Counts Differ Throughout the Year
All types of pollen can travel as far as the wind takes them. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, ragweed pollen, a common summer allergen, has been found elevated up to 2 miles into the atmosphere, and up to 400 miles out to sea. That being said, most types of pollen – including grass, tree and weed pollen – remain close to their points of origin.
While most people experience severe pollen allergy symptoms during high pollen counts, you might also have a hard time with your pollen allergies throughout medium or even low pollen counts. This happens because you might be more sensitive to a type of pollen that, even with low airborne pollen counts, can make you sicker than another type of pollen with regionally higher pollen counts. If, however, a mixture of offensive, high and low-count foreign and regional pollen find you, you might experience lengthy, unusually severe pollen allergy symptoms.
Pollen Allergy Treatments
If you are like most people, you take over-the-counter medications to combat your pollen allergies. You can also keep your windows and doors closed and wear a gardening mask when working outside in your yard. Maintaining HVAC filter rotation and regularly steaming your carpets are two additional tips to help minimize renegade pollen intrusion in your home. However, you might also need to seek professional help if you experience moderate to severe pollen allergy symptoms that interfere with your daily life.
Allergists utilize several different pollen allergy treatments, including injections, prescription-strength antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids to help you better cope with your pollen allergies.
