Pollen Allergy - Health Tips

Get practical tips regarding Pollen Allergy to help you prepare for your appointments and manage your care from home.

Thoughts on Pollen Allergy by Dr. Michelle Yasharpour, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI
June 2023
  • In Southern California, pollination lasts year-round.
  • Stay indoors with windows closed as much as possible, especially when the air levels of the pollen and/or mold that you are allergic to are high
  • Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning hours.
  • You can check pollen levels on Allergy Alert App or Pollen.com. There are several apps with allergy forecasts.
  • Seasonal allergic rhinitis is often caused by tree pollen in the early spring. During the late spring and early summer, grasses often cause symptoms. Late summer and fall hay fever is caused by weeds.
Thoughts on Pollen Allergy by Dr. Keith Jorgensen, MD
September 2022

POLLINATION TIMES OF MOST PLANTS

TREES
MARCH: Alder, Box Elder, Elm, Hazelnut, Maple, Red Cedar
APRIL: Birch, Cottonwood, Hackberry, Maple, Mulberry, Sweet Gum, Sycamore, Willow
MAY: Ash, Beech, Hickory, Linden, Mulberry, Oak, Pecan, Pine, Privit, Sweet Gum, Sycamore, Walnut
JUNE: Linden, Oak, Pine

GRASSES
MAY- JUNE: Timothy, Orchard, Kentucky Bluegrss, Red Tops, Sweet Vernal, Meadow
Fescue, Perennial Rye
MAY-JULY: Bermuda, Brome, Velvet, Johnson, Bahia, Canary

WEEDS
MAY-JULY: English Plantain, Sheep Sorrel, Yellow Dock
AUG-OCT: Ragweed, Lambs Quarters, Cocklebur, Marsh Elder, Fireweed, Mugwaort, Russian Thistle, Pigweed

Thoughts on Pollen Allergy by Dr. Ann Ghory, MD
February 2021

Pollen Control Measures

  • KEEP WINDOWS AND DOORS SHUT AND RUN AIR CONDITIONER AT ALL TIMES. THIS KEEPS THE OUTDOORS AIR OUTSIDE.
  • KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED WHILE IN THE CAR AND AIR CONDITIONER ON THE “RE-CIRCULATE” MODE.
  • WASH YOUR HAIR BEFORE GOING TO BED AT NIGHT TO REDUCE EXPOSURE DURING SLEEP.
  • KEEP PETS OUTDOORS TO PREVENT THE POLLEN FROM BEING BROUGHT IN ON THEIR HAIR.
  • AVOID HANGING CLOTHES AND LINENS OUTSIDE AS POLLENS MAY COLLECT ON THE ITEMS.
  • DON’T MOW THE LAWN IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO GRASS OR WEEDS. IF YOU MUST MOW THE GRASS, WEAR A FACE MASK.

Cincinnati Allergy & Asthma Center

October 2016