on our website and app<\/a>.<\/p>\nTypes of Pollen on the Rise
\n1. Tree Pollen<\/p>\n
Currently, tree pollen is the primary culprit for allergy sufferers. Central Florida\u2019s native and ornamental trees are heavy pollinators this time of year. The main offenders include:<\/p>\n
Oak\u00a0\u2013 Particularly live oak, one of the most dominant species in the region, producing dense yellow-green pollen.
\nPine\u00a0\u2013 Common in suburban and rural areas, pine pollen contributes to the yellow coating seen on cars and outdoor furniture.
\nCypress\u00a0\u2013 Typically peaks earlier in spring but can linger depending on weather conditions.<\/p>\n
2. Grass Pollen<\/p>\n
As temperatures continue to climb, Bermuda grass\u00a0and Bahia grass\u00a0pollen are beginning to increase as well. While grass pollen counts haven\u2019t yet reached their full seasonal peak, they\u2019re on the rise \u2014 adding another layer of discomfort for allergy sufferers.<\/p>\n
Common Allergy Symptoms<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re one of the many residents sensitive to pollen, you may experience a range of symptoms, such as:<\/p>\n
Sneezing and nasal congestion
\nRunny or itchy nose
\nWatery or itchy eyes
\nScratchy throat or coughing
\nFatigue or mild headaches due to sinus pressure<\/p>\n
Long-term exposure without proper management can lead to more severe sinus inflammation or even trigger asthma symptoms in predisposed individuals.<\/p>\n
Tips to Lessen Allergy Symptoms<\/p>\n
Here are some ways to reduce your exposure and manage your symptoms effectively:<\/p>\n
1. Keep Windows Closed<\/p>\n
As tempting as it can be to let in fresh air, it\u2019s best to keep windows and doors closed during high pollen days \u2014 especially in the morning and late afternoon when pollen counts peak.<\/p>\n
2. Check Daily Pollen Forecasts<\/p>\n
The Spectrum News App and the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) provide daily updates on pollen levels. Plan outdoor activities for days with lower counts.<\/p>\n
3. Shower and Change Clothes After Outdoor Activities<\/p>\n
Pollen tends to cling to clothing, hair, and skin. Rinsing off and changing clothes after being outdoors helps prevent bringing pollen into your living spaces.<\/p>\n
4. Use Air Purifiers Indoors<\/p>\n
HEPA-filter air purifiers help clear airborne allergens inside your home. It\u2019s also a good idea to replace HVAC filters regularly, ideally with allergy-grade filters.<\/p>\n
5. Consider Over-the-Counter Medications<\/p>\n
Antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, and saline rinses can help control inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Consult your doctor before starting new medications, especially if you have chronic respiratory issues.<\/p>\n
6. Protect Your Eyes and Face Outdoors<\/p>\n
Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat can shield your face and eyes from pollen exposure when you\u2019re outside.<\/p>\n
Final Thoughts<\/p>\n
As Central Florida transitions fully into its spring pattern, weather conditions are ideal for plant growth \u2014 and unfortunately, for pollen production too. Staying informed and taking proactive measures can make all the difference in comfortably managing allergy season.<\/p>\n
For those living in the Sunshine State, the best defense is preparedness: monitor conditions, minimize exposure, and take steps to reduce pollen buildup indoors. With a few adjustments, you can still enjoy the season \u2014 minus the sniffles and sneezes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Central Florida is experiencing a mix of warm and chilly temperatures, increased humidity, and scattered…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":162893,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[17174,315,4717,2174,3833,115,1335,139,141,140,1976,1014,275,3315,3690,2261,221,26264],"class_list":["post-162892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-app-weather-stories","tag-brevard-county","tag-flagler-county","tag-lake-county","tag-marion-county","tag-news","tag-orange-county","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-osceola-county","tag-seminole-county","tag-spectrum-news-staff","tag-sumter-county","tag-the-villages","tag-volusia-county","tag-weather","tag-weather-blog-florida-new"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162892"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162892\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}