Pollen Archives

September 15, 2020July 16, 2021

Ragweed Allergy Season is Here

The calendar says fall is still a few days away, but fall seasonal allergies have already started. The cool and wet summer experienced by much of the country means a strong ragweed allergy season is on tap.

Fall Seasonal Allergens

Ragweeds, goldenrods, and molds are the most common fall seasonal allergy culprits. Fortunately, the ragweeds and goldenrods will be gone with the first few frosts. Mold can linger all winter.

Just one ragweed plant can produce one billion pollen particles and they are so small and light that the wind can carry them many miles. Goldenrods get a bad rap in the fall because they bloom at the same time as the ragweeds and the plants look similar. However, goldenrod pollen isn’t as likely to become airborne because it depends on insects for dispersal. The goldenrod pollen grains are much larger and are sticky, so they don’t get blown about the neighborhood. You can blame the goldenrods, but the ragweeds are the real problem.

Ragweeds and goldenrods can be found on the roadsides, the edges of pathways, and the perimeter of fields and forests. They will be in areas that aren’t frequently mowed. To reduce pollen exposure, drive with your windows up and avoid the areas where the ragweeds are growing.

Fight Back this Ragweed Allergy Season

If you have fall seasonal allergies, you may want to consider moving your exercise activities indoors. If the idea of running on a treadmill doesn’t excite you, then continue your jogging routine while wearing a U2SportMask to protect against pesky pollen particles. These masks are also great for:

Walking;
Biking;
ATV trail riding; and
Gardening and raking leaves

Nasal Irrigation for Ragweed Allergy Control

Nasal and sinus irrigation is making a comeback as a means of natural allergy control. As people are more interested in finding ways to control their allergies without medication, the market has responded with advanced technologies for more comfortable nasal and sinus irrigation. Read how to get Relief from Seasonal Allergy Using Nasal Irrigation to discover more about this technique.

While the bad news is that the fall ragweed allergy season is off to an early and strong start, it won’t be long lived. Most temperate areas are expecting early frosts which will kill the ragweeds and put an end to the ragweed allergy season.

Till Next Time!

Cheryl

May 8, 2020July 16, 2021

Best Face Mask for Cutting Grass

The calendar doesn’t say “summer” yet, but it is hard to tell that to the grass that is growing like crazy. If you suffer from summer time seasonal allergies, grass pollen is the major culprit. If you do your own lawn work, you need a good mask for cutting grass.

The seasonal allergy cycle starts in the Spring with trees and in the Summer transitions to grasses. Come Fall season, it will be the ragweeds responsible for the pollen in the air.

You can do your part to reduce air-borne pollen in your neighborhood by keeping the grass cut short. You have to balance on that thin line between grass that is not too short so you can conserve water use and grass that is not too long so that it begins to produce pollen.

However, you can only control the grass in your yard. If you live near fields or undeveloped lots (or homes in foreclosure and the bank isn’t mowing) there can still be lots of pollen in the air.

Over the last couple of years, we have found that our U2 Sports Mask is becoming as popular with lawn care professionals as it is with ATV and motocross riders when it comes to a mask for cutting grass and other lawn work.

It started with the tree trimming company in Hawaii. Their workers were adversely affected by pollen and the masks they had tried to block the pollen also restricted air flow. You don’t want to be short of breath when you are trimming trees.

Then, there was the church that owned a large retreat property that had to be mowed. Once again, the employees needed a mask that would stop the grass pollen and still be cool and comfortable.

My favorite is the man that had no problems with pollen but instead his riding mower kicked up dust and loads of small annoying black gnats. He was just tired of gnats in his nose and mouth and found the U2 Sports Mask did the trick.

Now that was no surprise to me. During the summer I love to ride my bike on the trails around the lake by my house. There is just one spot that I always pedaled double speed, because it was always full of these little black flies.

When we first carried the U2 Sports Mask, I discovered that I could wear the mask, breathe easily no matter how hard I was riding, and it kept all the black flies out of my mouth.

So, if you have a riding mower or just a walk behind like mine, if you want protection from air-borne pollen, molds, dust, dirt and bugs then the U2 Sports Mask is the perfect mask for you.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

October 9, 2013August 12, 2021

How to Avoid Pollen

For some time we have been discussing allergies and what causes an allergic reaction, the actual nature of the reaction, and the common allergens. Now it is time to put this knowledge to work at home. If you have seasonal allergies you must know how to avoid pollen.

Avoiding different allergens requires different approaches. Some strategies require little to implement, others require an investment of time or money. Lets’ get started.

Steps to Avoid Pollen

Sadly complete avoidance of allergenic pollen or mold would means moving to a place where the offending substance does not grow and where it is not present in the air. Care to live in a bubble or on the moon?

But even this extreme solution would probably only offer temporary relief since a person who is sensitive to a specific pollen or mold may subsequently develop allergies to new allergens after repeated exposure. For example, people allergic to ragweed may leave their ragweed-ridden communities and relocate to areas where ragweed does not grow, only to develop allergies to other weeds or even to grasses or trees in their new surroundings.

Because relocating is not a reliable solution, allergy specialists do not encourage this approach. There are other ways to evade the offending pollen: remaining indoors in the morning, for example, when the outdoor pollen levels are highest. Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome. If you must be outside on high pollen count days, then be aware that you are carrying pollen on your clothing and hair when you come inside. That means going straight to the bathroom to shower, wash your hair, and put on fresh clothing. Do not put pollen-contaminated clothing in your bedroom, but take it directly to the laundry room or a laundry hamper that is not in the bedroom.

Keep pets indoors too when pollen counts are high. Your pet’s fur will collect pollens when they are running around and then bring them inside where they will contaminate your living area. We know it is not practical to keep them in so you will need to brush out their fur when they come in.

If you must work outdoors during pollen season, wear a face mask designed to filter pollen out of the air and keep it from reaching your nasal passages. If you don’t wear a pollen mask, re-read the section on nasal irrigation. You might want to invest in a neti pot or other nasal irrigation device to use when you come inside after being out on high pollen count days.

People who take their vacations at the height of the pollinating season should choose a location where exposure would be minimal. The seashore, for example, may be an effective retreat for many with pollen allergies so come on down to sunny South Florida and stay on the beach.

Till next time
Cheryl

The Allergy Store