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FAQs

Why do I have allergy symptoms when my pollen count is low? ›

The opposite can be true, too: The pollen count might be low, but you might find yourself around one of the pollens that triggers your allergies. Through testing, an allergist can pinpoint which pollens bring on your symptoms.

Pollen counts of 50 or less are considered low, while 1,000 or more is very high⁵. These measures can differ slightly according to pollen type. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, pollen count can make a big difference to how severe they are.

Each plant species releases its pollen at a different time of year, but spring and fall tend to have the highest concentrations.

Be sure you're drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated during allergy season. "Studies have shown that when you're dehydrated your body produces higher histamine levels and that drives allergies," Ogden said.

This means allergies and immune system function are inherently linked. Allergic reactions cause inflammation throughout your body. This is part of your immune system's natural defense mechanism, but if left untreated, chronic inflammation can contribute to disease and poor immune system health.

How can you build immunity to seasonal allergies? The best way to build a tolerance to seasonal allergies is through immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy will expose your body to small amounts of what you are allergic to. Over time you will become desensitized and stop reacting when exposed to allergens.

Tree pollen is the first pollen to appear each year in the United States. It is responsible for most spring pollen allergy symptoms. It also often overlaps with grass pollen in the spring and summer.

The months that are typically worse for allergies vary depending on the location and specific allergens involved. In general, spring and fall tend to be the peak seasons for allergies in many regions of the United States. During spring, especially from March through May, tree pollen is a common trigger for allergies.

Pollen: Rain prevents pollen from traveling and can be a relief for some people with this common allergy. However, it can also increase pollen exposure when pollen is broken into smaller particles. Pollen counts also sometimes increase significantly right after rainstorms.

In 2024, Wichita, Kansas was named the worst city in America for allergies due to its higher-than-average tree and grass pollen, higher-than-average medicine use, and limited access to allergy specialists, the foundation said.

What are the worst months for pollen? ›

The worst month for allergies will vary based on where you live. Across the United States, May typically is the worst. In May, most of the country sees elevated pollen counts. This includes both trees and the beginning of some grass pollens.

A ragweed plant only lives one season, but it packs a powerful punch. A single plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains. These grains are very light weight and float easily through the air. Fall allergy symptoms used to start in mid-August and run through September.

Allergies and Vitamin D

Furthermore, research shows that vitamin D can activate certain regulatory immune system cells that prevent the release of chemicals that cause and worsen allergic diseases. 1 So a deficiency in vitamin D may inhibit this regulatory mechanism, which may worsen or trigger allergic disease.

How can you build immunity to seasonal allergies? The best way to build a tolerance to seasonal allergies is through immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy will expose your body to small amounts of what you are allergic to. Over time you will become desensitized and stop reacting when exposed to allergens.

Many people have an adverse immune response when they breathe in pollen. The immune system normally wards off illness by defending the body against harmful intruders, such as viruses and bacteria. In people with pollen allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies the harmless pollen as a dangerous intruder.

Triggers of nonallergic rhinitis can include: Irritants in the air. These include dust, smog and cigarette smoke. Strong odors such as perfumes also can cause the symptoms to start.