It is estimated that as many as 35 million Americans are allergic to pollen. Pollen is the most common and widespread windborne allergen that can be found nearly everywhere, indoors and out. An allergy to pollen causes hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. You can be allergic to one or all of the three main pollen categories: Tree, Weed, or Grass.
Definition:
Pollen grains are the reproductive cells that come from plants, grasses, trees, weeds, and flowers. From Spring through Fall, pollen grains are released and carried by the wind with the intent of fertilizing other plants if that is where they arrive. Pollen is also spread by bees, animals, and water.
Facts:
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One ragweed plant can release as many as 1 million grains of pollen each day
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Pollen counts are highest in the morning and when it is hot, dry, and windy outdoors and they are lowest after a heavy rain
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Plain varieties of weeds, grasses, and trees rather than those producing bright, colorful flowers tend to be the largest contributor to pollen allergies. This is because they produce the lightest pollen grains which can be carried the farthest by the wind and remain airborne for long distances.
Allergy Symptoms:
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swollen, watery eyes, conjunctivitis
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itchy eyes, nose, throat
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dark circles under the eyes called "allergic shiners"
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runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing
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coughing, sore throat
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headache, fatigue
Particle Size:
The majority of particles range from 10-100 microns. The Forget-Me-Not produces the smallest grains at .006 microns (see particle information on Sub-Pollen Particles) while pollen from Spanish Moss can be as large as 150-750 microns.