Dr. Todd Levin said the high pollen count lately is even setting off people's asthma and he believes the warm and wet spring is the reason behind the high numbers.
The warmer temperatures mean higher pollen counts in the Tennessee Valley.
You could be among the 24.4 million Americans with seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.
Hay fever accounts for 12 million doctor visits a year, according to the CDC.
It's caused by the immune system's reaction to breathing in mold spores or pollen.
"Today, the pollen count is over 3300. That is extremely high," Dr. Todd Levin with Chattanooga Allergy Clinic said.
If you're more itchy and sneezy right now, you are not alone. Spring is in full bloom in the Tennessee Valley, sending allergy sufferers inside.
"People are really suffering with runny nose, congestion, having lots of drainage, pressure, their eyes are itching, their nose is itching, watery eyes," Levin added.
Dr. Levin is an Allergy and Asthma Specialist at Chattanooga Allergy Clinic.
He said the high pollen count lately is even setting off people's asthma and he believes the warm and wet spring is the reason behind the high numbers.
"We've had a very wet spring, so the trees are healthy. They are growing. They're putting out a lot of pollen and it's also been a fairly relatively warm spring. So those two factors together are leading to increased pollen," he added.
And while rain helps knock out the pollen in the air, giving sufferers a little bit of relief, it can eventually lead to more pollen later on.
"The rain will increase the allergenicity of the pollen. It activates the pollen," Dr. Levin said.
Dr. Levin offered the following suggestions for allergy sufferers:
- Avoid being outside in the morning, when the pollen count is higher
- Shower at the end of the day
- Wash your hair before going to bed
- Take over the counter meds
If you need over the counter meds for more than a month out of the year, Dr. Levin said it may be time to see an allergy specialist.
It's also important to watch for other symptoms that could indicate something else, like COVID-19.
If you experience fever, nausea or loss of taste and smell, you should get tested for COVID-19.
Source: WRCB