Why does georgia have so much pollen

Tree pollen counts primarily from Oak and Birch tend to rise to peak levels by late March into mid-April and die down by late May. Grass pollen starts in late May and is the primary allergen in the air during the summer months. It can cause very intense symptoms in certain people but is a much shorter season than tree pollen.

Much like tree pollen It can cause troublesome ocular symptoms. Ragweed and other weed pollen sage, pigweed, yellow dock start in late August and are present until the first or second freeze in Georgia. You can usually see the tall ragweed plants growing on the side of the highway or in abandoned lots. Most pollen counting stations that are reported on the news or web use air volume sampling devices where the amount of pollen is measured over a period of time usually 24 hrs.

The majority of the pollen is from oak, sweet gum, mulberry and birch trees and though it is hard to imagine, things could get worse, said Dr. Normally, the peak pollen season comes in the first couple of weeks in April but heavy rains and cool weather have helped keep the particle count low, Sheerin said. Without moderate rainfall, high pollen counts will continue to choke metro Atlantans as temperatures heat up. Using your air conditioner, exercising indoors and avoiding use of a sunroof or convertible are ways to avoid exposure, but if you love the outdoors, Dr.

Keith Lenchner, an allergist with the Gwinnett Clinic, recommends trying an over-the-counter antihistamine or visiting a doctor for prescription eye drops or nasal spray. Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog. Augusta, Georgia, was ranked 45th on the list.

Other factors can contribute to allergies, including genetics, according to Bassett. Hwang, from Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, emphasized the importance of identifying your triggers and finding the treatment that works best for you.

Correction: This report has been updated to correct the pollen count measurement and the name of Dr. For many, pollen season means trips to the doctor or pharmacy as they deal with coughing, sneezing, congestion and other symptoms.

Georgia has warmer winters, so plants don't die or become dormant. That is just one of the factors that increases our exposure to pollen here in the South. Credit Pixabay. The next week, the pollen count soared even higher, to over 5, grains per cubic meter. In this file photo, pollen covers a car parked outside the state Capitol in Atlanta. A report ranked Atlanta as the 79th most challenging place to live with spring allergies out of U.