Spring brings blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and pollen in the air. Weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, and rain can affect when allergy season starts and ends, and how severe symptoms can be. A longer and more intense pollen season is in the forecast this year, which can worsen allergies, asthma attacks, and air quality.
How Long Does Pollen Season Last?
Pollen season lasts for several months and is affected by different types of plants. In Northern Virginia, tree pollen started in early March and is expected to peak in April and May. Grass pollen will increase in late spring and early summer, followed by ragweed and other weeds in late summer and early fall.
How Does Pollen Affect Your Health?
For many people, pollen causes seasonal allergies. Common symptoms include red or itchy eyes, congestion, runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing. Pollen can also worsen asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing in serious cases, especially for children, older adults, and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other medical conditions.
Some people are only affected by one type of pollen, while others experience symptoms from multiple types.
How Can You Protect Your Health?
As we move further into spring and beyond, the following actions can help reduce the effects of pollen and season allergies for you and your family:
Check pollen levels and air quality: Keep an eye on local pollen forecasts using a weather app, website, or trusted news source. Learn how to check the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) to see how pollen and other pollutants affect outdoor air quality in your area.
Car air recirculation mode symbol Reduce your exposure: When pollen count is expected to be high, stay inside as much as possible and keep windows and doors closed, especially if you have a respiratory illness. If you go outside, choose shorter or less intense activities and avoid times when pollen count is highest. When driving during peak pollen times, use your car’s air recirculation mode to keep pollution and allergens outside.
Wash off pollen: When outside, don’t touch or rub your eyes. When you go back inside, wash your hands, take a shower, and change your clothes to remove pollen from your hair, skin, and clothing.
Protect your home: If your home has an HVAC system, use high-efficiency filters and change them regularly. If you don’t have an HVAC system, consider using portable air purifiers or box fans to help filter and keep air circulating. Use caulk to seal any cracks around windows and doors to minimize the pollen that gets inside.
Seek medical care: Talk to your doctor about medications and treatment options so you can be prepared year-round. Get medical care right away for urgent symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, or heart palpitations.