Pollen Count in the Atlanta Area

What Is Pollen Count and How Is it Measured?

Pollen count is the measure of how much pollen is in the air at any given time and reported to the public in a way that is is easy to understand: low, moderate, or high levels. Pollen counts fall on a 12-points scale, with the low levels under 2.4, and high pollen levels are in excess of 9.7. Learning what these levels mean and how the pollen count may impact you can help mitigate your symptoms.

Scientifically speaking, pollen is counted by utilizing an air-sampling device that uses sticky rods to test the air. Every 24 hours, the rods are examined for the number of pollen grains present, and then measured as units of grains per cubic meter of air. Monitoring the outdoor pollen count can help you avoid unnecessary exposure.

Avoiding Pollen

With an allergy to pollen, outdoor activities may be unbearable during a flare-up. To reduce your exposure to pollen, you can stay indoors on the windiest, driest days, because the pollen is usually higher than after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. Other ways you can keep yourself from having a flare-up is to delegate yardwork chores to someone else, because lawnmowing, weed pulling, and gardening can aggravate your pollen allergy. After being outside, make sure to shower to rinse off pollen from your body and hair, and wash your clothes to remove any lingering pollen specks.

Whenever pollen counts are high, make sure to keep your doors and windows closed. You can keep your indoor air clean by using air conditioning with high-efficiency filters, using a dehumidifier, putting an air purifier called a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter near your bed, and cleaning your floors often.

How to Reduce Pollen Symptoms

To minimize exposure, we recommend regularly checking our website to track Atlanta’s daily pollen count. If you’re struggling to find relief, don’t give up. It may be especially difficult to avoid during late spring, but you can reduce your symptoms with treatment and guidance from the right specialists.

At Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified allergy specialists are extremely knowledgeable on diagnostic testing to find out what allergens are triggering your symptoms and determining the exact treatment and medications you need. Get in touch today to schedule a Telemedicine appointment or in-office visit with one of our caring physicians.