According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, February to April is the peak times for tree allergies.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s a common sight this time of year to see pollen on cars, windows and outdoor furniture.
The good news is that Monday’s rain is a good relief for those suffering from allergies. But even so, some are saying this year seems worse than others.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
You’ve seen it, on your car, on your outdoor furniture and more: a thick layer of pollen. But is this the stuff that is making you sneeze and wheeze?
“Whatever this stuff is that you see on your car on picnic tables, that’s not what makes you sneeze,” Mulcahy explained. “It’s these microscopic, tiny little bits that get into your nasal passages.”
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, February to April are the peak times for tree allergies. The yellow stuff you see outside on surfaces is pine pollen, which is not typically the cause of allergy symptoms.
“What you physically see isn’t leading to a worse allergy season, it’s actually what we can’t see,” Mulcahy said.
There were 11 days of “significant” rain in Charlotte last year, according to the National Weather Service. This year, we’ve only seen five days.
“If you talk about overall intensity, it’s the same, but when you have a rain event that’s a way to kick the pollen back down,” Mulcahy said. “Even the ones that cause the sneezing and itchy eyes, even though the peak is the same, we haven’t had that rain.”
So, while the pollen count is pretty much the same as last year, it’s the lack of rain that’s making folks reach for the tissues.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
