Allergy Season in Georgia May Be Getting Longer
According to a recent article in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, allergy season in Georgia may be getting longer. While allergy season usually peaks in the spring, several recent doctor’s reports indicate that it could now span into the summer, or even longer.
Tree pollen peaked in Atlanta and northern Georgia around April, with grass and weed pollen peaking in the months that followed. According to Dr. Stanley Fineman, pollen counts were in the high to extremely high range this year, reaching 4,500 before 2018 was even half over.
“The pollen count really reflects the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air over a 24-hour period, so a cubic meter is like the size of a printer box,” stated Dr. Fineman. He went on to stress how warmer winters continue to negatively affect allergy-sufferers in Georgia. “What we’re seeing, over the last 10 years, is that the season’s getting longer, partially because it’s getting a little warmer earlier. So we’re seeing a longer pollen season, and it’s partially because of the warmth.”
Although most plant allergens in the state are native to Georgia, there has also been a trend in recent years of plants not native to the state contributing to rising pollen counts. “A few years ago we saw an uptick in tree pollen, Chinese elm pollen to be specific, in the fall, which is very unusual because we usually see tree pollen in the spring,” stated Fineman.
Along with researchers at the University of Georgia and Emory, Fineman has been examining how these plants ended up in Georgia, and how they’re impacting individuals in the state with allergy issues. “We saw that it’s being used as an ornamental here in Atlanta,” stated Fineman, referring to the Chinese elm. “That means that landscaping companies are planting it on purpose because it’s a hardy tree, it’s a pretty tree.” Unfortunately, it appears that Georgia landscapers were unaware of what effect the Chinese elm would have on native allergy-suffers when they began planting it.
Contact a Georgia Allergy Specialist Now
Have your allergies been worse over the past few years? Have you been sneezing, coughing, and wheezing longer, past Spring into summer, fall, and even winter? If this sounds like you, it may be time to contact the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia. Using a holistic philosophy that focuses on asthma, chronic sinusitis, pulmonary conditions, and allergies, our trained allergists and physicians create comprehensive solutions to improve breathing issues and alleviate pain over time. We have a no-wait policy, so if you are having an allergy emergency you can see a healthcare professional sooner rather than later. We also offer Spanish-speaking service and have ten offices located across metro Georgia for your convenience. At the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, we believe that allergy season shouldn’t last any longer than it has to. Call now and start getting your allergies under control today.
Dial (404) 994-3574 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our contact form online for general questions.