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What Allergies Are Out Now In Nc

Who Are Allergy Doctors In North Carolina

Is it seasonal allergies, COVID-19 or vaccine symptoms? Here’s how to tell.

In North Carolina, there are several different types of providers you can go to for your allergies. The most common types of allergy doctors are allergists or immunologists, and ENTs. When choosing an allergy doctor, the most important thing is choosing a provider you trust.

It is also important to work with a doctor who will consider both your test results and your allergy history to make sure they make sense together. You should also consider how long you will need to wait to be seen by them and how convenient it is for your schedule.

At Wyndly, our allergy doctors will work with you to get you long-term relief from your symptoms. Our doctors will create a personalized treatment plan for you based on your allergy test results and your allergy history.

How Do You Test For Allergies

In order to determine the source of your problems, we use intradermal titration skin testing. During this procedure, we expose your skin to the most common allergens. We then carefully observe the site to determine if an allergic reaction occurs.

Once we have an idea of what causes the allergies, we can proceed with crafting an individualized plan of action.

There are several ways to treat allergies, including medication and immunotherapy.

Will Eating Local Honey Help Your Allergies

Sluck all the honey sticks you want between sneezes. The thinking is that pollen on the surface of the bee somehow makes it into honey and that ingesting that honey will desensitize you, Cypcar said. But surface pollen on a honeybee is floral, and that kind of pollen doesn’t cause allergies. Myth busted!

More:Honey, I bought some bees! Why I joined more than 15,000 beekeepers in N.C.

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This Pollen Season Has Been Bad Right

Sure but no worse than usual.

I can’t say that 2022 so far shakes out significantly different that prior allergy seasons, Cypcar said.

Barden agreed. Hes based in Raleigh. I think weve had worse seasons than this, he said.

As of April 14, pollen.com had most of North Carolina ranked high for allergies, its top category. Asheville had it easier, ranked medium-high and people living around Pamlico Sound could actually breathe through their noses.

More:Is it COVID or allergies? As pandemic wanes, experts talk spotting the difference

If its any consolation we expect it wont be South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia were in worse shape April 14, with almost their entire states rated high for allergies on pollen.com.

The site is run by a commercial pollen-monitoring equipment company the N.C. Division of Air Quality has found its data to be accurate, spokesman Shawn Taylor said.

When Is North Carolina Allergy Season

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North Carolina isnt a stranger to frosty winters, but the temperatures dont dip below freezing very often. When temperatures are mild, plants may begin producing pollen sooner in spring and could release pollen longer in fall. With that being said, allergy season in North Carolina will generally end sometime in November, when the first frost hits. It can pick back up in February if conditions allow. Lets take a closer look at North Carolina allergies by season.

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Tell Your Technician About Your Allergies

From special filters to strong air purifiers, weve got tons of tactics up our sleeves that can help you survive North Carolina allergy season. Even if your allergies arent just seasonal, we have ways to help! Schedule an appointment with one of our technicians to talk about how we can get you feeling better, even when the pollen attacks.

Wanna learn more about how your HVAC tech can help with your allergies? Check out our blog post!

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The Best Allergist In North Carolina For Seasonal Allergies

If you are looking for the best doctor to treat your seasonal allergies in North Carolina, look no further than Wyndly. At Wyndly, our allergy doctors will create a personalized treatment plan for your allergies to get you long-term allergy relief from your North Carolina seasonal allergies.

Take our easy online assessment now to see if our doctors can get you long-term allergy relief from your seasonal allergies in North Carolina!

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Is Climate Change Making Pollen Worse

Unfortunately, also yes.

The Michigan researchers project that pollen emission will increase 16 to 40 percent in the continental United States by the end of this century. Thats because warmer temperatures will shift the start of spring emissions 1040 days earlier and summer/fall weeds and grasses 515 days later and lengthen the season duration.

Moreover, increased carbon dioxide in the air increases both male flowers and their pollen.

Plants feed off carbon dioxide, Davis said.

How To Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies

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If you have itchy eyes, you probably have allergies, not a cold. Not only that, but if your symptoms seem to get worse when you go outside, you might have allergies.

Lastly, a cold lasts about a week, but allergies will stick around until your allergen is gone. In NC, allergy season feels like it lasts forever. Surprise! Thats because we actually have several allergy seasons. As if one wasnt bad enough.

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The Injection Alternative: Shotfree Allergy

The biggest benefit of ShotFree Allergy immunotherapy is that there is no hassle. Simply apply the custom-formulated cream to your forearm several times per week and enjoy less severe allergic reactions â thatâs it! Your prescription formula is even sent to your home so you donât have to pick it up from a pharmacy or doctorâs office on a regular basis.

If you are done dealing with fall allergies in NC and want to see if ShotFree Allergy can help, take our quiz to find out if itâs right for you. We hope we can make the fall months in North Carolina a little more enjoyable for you!

Am I Old Or Is Pollen Season Getting Worse

We cant speak to the former, but for the latter: Yes. A study in 2021 found that the overall pollen season was already about 20 days longer in North America than it was in 1990 and pollen concentrations were up about 21 percent, two University of Michigan researchers wrote in The Conversation, sharing findings they in March.

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How To Manage Fall Allergies In Nc

Fall allergies in NC may seem impossible to deal with, and that they are just too difficult to avoid. Getting rid of weeds, mold, mites, or your pets isnât an option, but there are other ways around this dilemma.

Instead, you can reduce the severity of your symptoms and your reaction time by trying immunotherapy to manage your allergies. Immunotherapy is used to lessen the reaction of your immune system against certain allergens. By repeatedly exposing your body to said allergens, youâre able to give your immune system a chance to get used to it and to perceive it as less of a threat.

Immunotherapy comes in several forms, with the most common being weekly injections. As you can imagine, this form of treatment isnât the most ideal option for most people. Costly, painful, and time-consuming, we have created a better alternative to weekly injections that is cheaper to use and provides the same end result!

Immunotherapy Also Provides Allergy Help

Rain may reduce pollen during these congested days

Immunotherapy remains one of the most effective treatments for allergies. During this process, we expose you to a diluted version of the allergen. Over time, your body develops a resistance to it.

Successful immunotherapy takes several years and multiple appointments, but for the majority of our patients, the effort is worth it to rid them of the pain and inconvenience of chronic allergies.

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Climate Change And Allergies

The impact of climate change has become a dangerous cycle. Rising global temperatures lead to more extreme weather. Weather changes such as heat waves and droughts can lead to a lack of air flow. When the air doesnt move, pollutants react together in the heat and sun. This increases ground-level ozone.1

Ground-level ozone is a major part of urban smog. More air pollution and smog cause higher levels of carbon dioxide . This results in warmer temperatures. And the cycle continues.

This cycle results in increased pollen. This can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Rising CO2 levels lead to longer growing seasons that change flowering time and increase pollen. The length of the growing season refers to the number of days when plant growth takes place. Warmer, longer seasons increase exposure to allergens that trigger asthma and other respiratory and allergic responses.2

If we dont slow down the cycle, pollen production and air pollution will only get worse. Millions of people already have seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pollen allergies are a major cause. If this cycle continues, we may see the number of people with seasonal allergies increase.

Our Allergy Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA.

Recommended Citation

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, . . Retrieved from allergycapitals.com.

Media Inquiries

For media and related inquiries, contact .

References

Get Seasonal Allergy Relief No Matter Where You Live

In the spring, the warm weather brings people outdoors to face one of the seasons biggest problems: tree pollen. Grass pollen follows later in spring into summer. Then in the late summer and early fall, weed pollen especially ragweed pollen can trigger symptoms just as kids are returning to school.

  • Itchy nose, eyes, ears, or mouth
  • Swelling around the eyes

Take these actions to reduce your contact with pollen:

  • Check pollen counts or forecasts daily and plan outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are expected to be lower.
  • Keep windows closed during pollen season or peak pollen times.
  • Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter and/or HEPA filtration to reduce indoor airborne allergens .
  • Wear sunglasses, a mask, and a hat or other hair covering when outdoors.
  • Take a shower and wash your hair before going to bed .
  • Change and wash clothes after outdoor activities.
  • Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.
  • Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Wipe pets off with a towel before they enter your home.
  • Remove your shoes before entering your home.
  • Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.

When cleaning inside your home, be aware that you may stir up pollen that has collected on surfaces. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®vacuums and dusting cloths help trap and contain allergens such as pollen.

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Why North Carolina Is An Allergy Hot Spot

The Southeast in general is known to be one of the worst areas in the country for allergies. Because of the mild weather, seasonal and environmental allergens occur year-round. With no freezing winters to kill off allergy-inducing weeds, or dry weather to prevent mold and pollen from blooming, allergy sufferers may have a hard time living in North Carolina. Staying proactive against your allergies by avoiding your triggers and starting immunotherapy will help greatly.

Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops

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Medications and limiting your exposure only go so far. If you want to fix your symptoms instead of just managing them, sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops may be your answer. Immunotherapy introduces small, gradually increasing doses of your allergen to train your immune system to ignore the substance instead of responding with an allergic reaction. Allergy drops are safe, effective, and pain-free, and unlike allergy shots, they dont require frequent visits to the doctor.

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Allergies Are Never Fun

Sneezing, coughing, watery eyes allergies are the worst! Developing a better understanding of what youre allergic to is a huge part of figuring out your allergy survival plan. If youre extremely allergic to ragweed, you now know that September is the peak of ragwood season, and you should stay indoors as much as you can.

Wouldnt it be nice to feel normal at home, even when the pollen is so thick it turns your car yellow? With a little bit of help, you can!

Does All Pollen Cause Equally Bad Allergies

No. The famous dayglo-yellow-green loblolly pine pollen that coats our cars is not the worst for humans, Barden said. Hardwood pollen is worse because its grains are more rough, much smaller, he said. Which means that it gets in more places and its much more abrasive.

Davis plays it safe: As an allergy sufferer myself, I try to avoid any tree that has pollen pouring off of it.

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Fall Allergies In Nc And What To Do About Them

North Carolina is known for its lush vegetation, large canopies of trees, and various wildflowers. While this is all beautiful to look at, it can wreak havoc on an allergy suffererâs symptoms. Unfortunately, allergies arenât just a thing in the springtime here. Fall allergies in NC are very prevalent and affect a majority of the population living throughout the state.

Not to worry! This doesnât mean you can never enjoy the beauty of our home stateâs landscape. It just means you will have to be careful about managing your allergies come fall. Hereâs everything you need to know about fall allergies in NC, the most common culprits behind these seasonal allergies, and how to manage them!

What Is North Carolina’s Pollen Calendar

Allergies

In order, the biggest pollen sources in the Southeast U.S. are oak, cypress, grasses and pine, according to researchers from the University of Michigan.

Typically, North Carolina sees three spikes of pollen. Trees emit the most pollen, and peak in April. Grasses peak in May. Weeds peak at the start of September.

Thats the calendar for Forsyth County and the Triangle Western N.C. tends to lag a bit in the spring maybe a week behind to two weeks. It really just depends on the weather, said Robert Barden, N.C. State extension associate dean.

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This year has pretty much followed those historical trends, said Assistant State Climatologist Corey Davis. A spate of warm weather in early March got the trees going. A cool spell slowed them down, but pollen counts spiked again at the end of March and really went through the roof the week of April 11.

The good news is that tree pollen should be declining now, Davis said, especially after recent rains. But due to rainfall and warm weather in early April, grass pollen has gotten an early start, skyrocketing twice this month so far, according to N.C. Division of Air Quality measures taken in Raleigh.

Weve got the worst of both worlds, Davis said.

He advises stocking up on allergy medications now because steroid nasal sprays, which work better than over-the-counter antihistamines, have to build up in your system.

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Charlotte Pollen & Mold Count Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center

  • www.carolinaasthma.com
  • Highest rating: 3
  • Summary: Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center presents pollen and mold updates each day in allergy season, based on the data from our central Charlotte location.

See Details

  • Highest rating: 3
  • Summary: The NC Division of Air Quality pollen sampler is at the Laboratory Buncombe County

See Details

Worst Allergy Pollen Trees In Charlotte Nc

Charlotte is beautiful in the spring with all the flowers and flowering trees. It can also be a brutal place for allergy sufferers. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America confirms it: Charlotte is on the top 50 list of the worst metro areas in the U.S. for allergies. The main culprit? Tree pollen. Late February through May is the toughest time for tree pollen in the Queen City. That means its also the worst time for allergy sufferers. Trees, like grass, produce pollen as part of their reproductive cycle. The presence of pollen in both can cause an overproduction of histamine, which leads to an allergic reaction.

  • Chest tightness

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Dont Go Outside In The Morning If You Can Avoid It

If you ever needed an excuse to avoid the morning, here ya go. 5am-10am is prime pollen time! If you have a ragweed allergy, staying indoors even later is a good idea. 10am-3pm is the worst time of day for ragweed allergies. Late afternoons or early evenings are best for allergy sufferers to venture into the outdoors.

Experts: Hardwood Trees Trigger Allergies Most

Springtime Pollen: How to ease allergy symptoms

When it comes to the worst pollen-producing trees in Charlotte, experts say hardwood trees top the list.

Dr. Robert Bardon is an associate dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University. Hardwood trees produce small pollen, so when people have allergies to tree pollen, they have allergies to the pollen from hardwood trees, he says. This is different from the larger, more visible pollen produced by pine trees. Loblolly pines, in particular, release large, yellow grains of pollen, but theyre too large for us to absorb. Thats why they dont typically trigger allergic reactions.

Pollen from allergy-triggering trees covers cars, decks, outdoor furniture, and pretty much anything else sitting outside for a few weeks each spring. When we start to see all this pollen in the air, were seeing pine pollen, Dr. Bardon says. Tree gender is also a factor when it comes to pollen production. Most types of trees are monoecious, meaning the same tree produces both male and female flowers. Others are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. For allergy sufferers, its helpful to know that male plants produce a lot more pollen than their female counterparts. But because pollen is wind-borne, it likely wont solve your allergy problems to plant only female flowering trees.

Here are a few of the worst pollen-producing trees in the Charlotte area:

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