Pollen is the grains or tiny seeds of flowering plants, trees, and grasses. Pollen can be carried on the wind and can cause many symptoms, or none at all, for people exposed to them. To track pollen levels in your area, check out the PollenWise app.
More Pollen and Longer Seasons
If you have noticed that your allergy symptoms have been starting earlier or lasting longer you are not alone. Compared to 30 years ago, the pollen season in Washington is starting 20 days earlier and lasting for almost a month longer. Warmer temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, more frost-free days, and more carbon dioxide in the air are climate impacts that are driving these changes. For example, Birch trees are a common source of pollen. These trees can be found across the state and are the third most abundant pollen type found in Seattle. Scientists predict there will be eight times as much birch pollen in our region by the end of the century.
Health Impacts
Longer, stronger pollen seasons may increase the following symptoms for those who suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Running nose
- Red, watery and/or itchy eyes
- Increased asthma attacks for those who have asthma
Learn more about increased pollen effects due to climate change, CDC.
How to Reduce the Effects of Pollen
If you have seasonal allergies, the following recommendations may reduce your symptoms:
- Track pollen levels in your area with spend less time outside when pollen levels are high.
- PollenWise app displays data from DOH’s network of pollen monitors.
- If you have taken an allergy test the app may display pollen levels for the specific trees, grasses, or weeds that you are allergic to.
- North Seattle pollen counts as well as Seattle and Eastern Washington Pollen Season Charts are available at the Northwest Allergy and Asthma website.
- PollenWise app displays data from DOH’s network of pollen monitors.
- Take over the counter and prescription allergy and asthma medicines in consultation with your medical provider.
- Shower after being outside to remove pollen from your skin and hair.
- Change your clothes after being outdoors.
- Keep windows closed during pollen season when weather conditions permit.
- Clean the surfaces and floors in your home to remove dust and mold.
- Get high efficiency air filters that remove particles like pollen and mold in your HVAC systems. See choosing a Portable Air Cleaner.
- See more tips on our Asthma, Allergens, and Irritants webpage.
People who experience seasonal allergies can often use over-the-counter medication to get through itchy and sneezy days. But sometimes, people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses have dangerous, life-threatening reactions. See your medical provider if you have trouble breathing.
Help Study Pollen
By keeping track of pollen levels, we can help researchers, health care workers, and those with respiratory issues. Report when flowers open and other cyclical data to the National Phenology Network.
Surveillance Efforts
The Department of Health is building a pollen surveillance network that will consist of 11 monitors with at least one in each climate zone in Washington state. The pollen surveillance system is intended to help people who suffer from seasonal allergies by providing real-time pollen detection information.
- Surveillance will be conducted using an APS400 Particulate Sensor by PollenSense providing live pollen data.
- For researchers and data users, the raw data from the monitors will be available on the Washington State Open Data Portal.
- The information from the monitors will be publicly available on the monitor manufacturer’s phone app, PollenWise which will include information about distinct tree, grass, and weed pollens.