ATLANTA — Spring is in bloom and it's evident with the layer of yellow that seems to be covering vehicles.
Along with flowers and trees coming to life, there's plenty of pollen to announce the new season. And, that means this is the time of year when tracking the pollen count could come in handy.
The count represents the number of pollen grains per cubic meter of air over the previous 24 hours. On Thursday, that number was around 987 according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma -- the highest pollen count so far this year. On Friday, the number was 327.
11Alive medical expert Dr. Sujatha Reddy said that most pollen outbreaks affect eyes, the nose and even the throat. She adds there are plenty of triggers for an allergic reaction when a lot of pollen is in the air.
"It can be grass, trees, it can be any of those things. And sometimes we even have high quantities of mold spores, which can create allergies. So it really is going to vary day by day," she said.
As the season ushers in sneezing and wheezing, some people may wonder if what they're experiencing isn't allergies but symptoms of COVID-19. However, Reddy reminds people there are big differences between the two.
"Typically, if you have them, they're going to affect your eyes, your nose and even your throat," she said. "I think where you have to say, 'is this allergies or is this COVID or coronavirus?' would be if you've never had allergies before, and all of a sudden you find yourself with a stuffy, runny nose."
So before ripping out flower beds or swapping lawns out with astro turf, Mayo Clinic offers a few tips for keeping seasonal allergies under control.
First, stay indoors on dry, windy days. Doctors advise the best time to go outside is after rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
Medical professionals also suggest taking off one's clothes after being outside and to shower to rinse pollen off from the body. Though some people prefer drying their clothes on a clothesline, it may not be the wisest idea as the pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
For those who are truly trying to avoid the pollen, doctors suggest wearing a mask to keep as much of it out of the nose and throat.