Pollen across state is troubling for allergy sufferers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – If you’ve noticed your allergies seem to be much worse this year – you’re not alone. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that allergies are worse this year and may continue in that direction.
The North Carolina Division of Air Quality measured a new record at the end of March. The agency typically measures pollen from February through October. Last week, it measured the highest grass pollen of all time for the month of March since it started gathering data in 1999.
Although spring is blooming in Uptownn (Charlotte), it comes at a price. Deepti Bhave has lived in Charlotte for 20 years and says she’s never had trouble like she is now.
“It’s so beautiful in Charlotte,” Bhave said. “I love the colors in the spring and everything else, but the allergies just dampen the spirit.”
This was a common theme among people at Romare Bearden Park Wednesday.
Daryl Goodman said he’s never had allergies before this year.
“It makes my eyes red, it makes my eyes watery,” Goodman said. “It’s a terrible season. I haven’t had any issues, but this season is definitely an issue.”
They’re not alone. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says a warmer climate is to blame.
Kenny Mendez is the CEO of AAFA. He says allergy growing season starts a lot sooner and ends much later.
“That supercharges the release of pollen so that’s why you have a longer and then a more intense allergy season because of those intense releases of pollen,” Mendez said. “Now because there’s so much more people who’ve never had it before, now their bodies are reacting more. Their triggers might have been much lower, but now because there’s so much more, year-round, then that can be a bigger factor for people.”
Mendez said trees are typically to blame this time of year and the Division of Air Quality has show high levels of tree pollen these last few days.
“It’s really important to have your triggers under control and understand if you have something like allergic asthma and work with a specialist to understand what your triggers are,” Mendez said.
Mendez said we spend close to 90 percent of our time indoors, so if you go outside, he said it helps to leave your shoes at the door when go home and if you walk your dog – wash him or her to keep allergens low in your home. AAFA also reported this year that Charlotte hit No. 18 of the most challenging places to live because of allergies.