AAAAI - Patients & Consumers Center: Allergy & Asthma Issues: Spring 2009

For people with seasonal allergies, pollen levels can be a useful tool. Yet many don’t fully understand what they are and how monitoring pollen levels can help to reduce their symptoms.

WHAT IS POLLEN?
Pollen—the tiny, male cells of flowering plants—can cause itchy or watery eyes, a stuffy, runny nose, allergic eczema and asthma. The pollens that cause the most problems are those that are spread by wind, such as ones from trees, grasses and weeds. These are very light pollens and can blow hundreds of miles from their origin. As a result, you can suffer symptoms caused by pollens that were released hundreds of miles away.

Pollen levels often include these problematic pollens, some of which are from species not found in the local area. Plants with large flowers usually do not cause major allergy symptoms, as they have heavy pollens that drop out of the air quickly.

WHAT DO POLLEN LEVELS MEASURE?
Pollen levels measure airborne allergens. For sensitive individuals, monitoring pollen levels can help limit outdoor exposure at peak pollen times and in turn, reduce their allergy symptoms.

Various concentration levels are associated with the amount of pollen recorded. In general, “absent” means no measurable pollen is recorded. “Low” means that only very sensitive individuals will experience symptoms. “Moderate” means that many more individuals will suffer symptoms. “High” means that most sensitive individuals will suffer some symptoms. “Very high” indicates that all sensitive individuals will suffer symptoms and most will have more severe symptoms.

WHAT AFFECTS POLLEN LEVELS?
Location is one of several factors that can influence pollen levels. A ragweed count of 100 grains/cubic meter would be considered very high in Albany, NY, but only counts in the thousands will raise eyebrows in Iowa City, IA, where they can reach 5,000. Generally, the number of ragweed plants in the Midwest is much higher than in the eastern United States, but ragweed in smaller numbers can be found pollinating in Florida during the spring. Weather conditions also play a role in pollen levels. Moderate temperatures with low humidity and a gentle breeze keep pollen in the air, whereas rain washes the pollen out. A windless day will result in low levels since pollen needs wind to disperse. High levels of humidity will make the pollen grains heavier, meaning they will drop out of the air more quickly.

CAN ALLERGY SYMPTOMS VARY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?
Throughout the season, individuals can vary in their level of sensitivity. Many become more sensitive as the season progresses. This process, called allergic priming, means that you may not have problems with low pollen levels at the beginning of the season, but towards the end of the season, low levels may start to cause symptoms.

WHERE CAN I FIND POLLEN LEVELS?
The National Allergy Bureau (NAB) is the section of the AAAAI’s Aeroallergen Network responsible for reporting current pollen and mold spore levels to the public.

The NAB provides the most accurate and reliable pollen and mold levels from approximately 78 counting stations throughout the United States, as well as several counting stations in Canada and Argentina. To view the pollen levels for your area, visit www.aaaai.org/nab.

If seasonal allergy symptoms are making you miserable, see an allergist/immunologist. Knowing when you are having symptoms, along with when exposure occurs, can help your allergist/immunologist to use the most effective therapies.

David Shulan, MD, FAAAAI, is an allergist/immunologist based in the Albany, NY, area for nearly 24 years. He’s currently in practice with six other board-certified allergists at Certified Allergy and Asthma Consultants and is the director of its NAB-certified pollen counting station.

TIPS TO REMEMBER DURING POLLEN SEASON

Following these tips can reduce exposure to pollen:

Close windows at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home.

Minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted—between 5 and 10 am.

Keep car windows closed when traveling.

Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.

Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea.

Make sure you take any medications prescribed by your allergist/immunologist regularly, in the recommended dosage.

DON’T take more medication than recommended in an attempt to lessen your symptoms.

DON’T mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs up pollens and molds.

DON’T rake leaves, as this also stirs up molds.

DON’T hang sheets or clothing out to dry. Pollens and molds may collect in them.

DON’T grow too many, or overwater, indoor plants if you are allergic to mold. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

Allergy & Asthma Issues: Spring 2009

Pollen: Little Cells That Cause Big Problems