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Allergy season got off to a late start in the Pittsburgh region but pollen levels have been climbing and more and more patients are reporting symptoms, according to allergists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Grass pollens and molds currently are the predominant cause of allergic symptoms in the region, according to David Nash, MD, chief of Allergy/Immunology at Children's. In Pennsylvania, grass pollens are high from early May until late June and ragweed pollens increase from mid-August through mid-October.

"Allergies can be controlled by avoiding triggers, such as pollen, and through the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications such as antihistamines and nasal steroids," Dr. Nash said. "Residents of the Pittsburgh region can track pollen levels by following Children's pollen count. If certain pollens or molds are high, we recommend people with allergies drive with the windows up and use the air conditioner. Other recommendations include taking a bath or shower immediately after being outside and not drying laundry outdoors."

Children's operates a pollen counting station that provides official pollen counts for western Pennsylvania to the National Allergy Bureau and to local media outlets. The counts include measurements of tree, grass and weed pollens as well as molds that are airborne in the region.

Pollen is a microscopic substance produced by trees, grasses and weeds that is carried by the wind and by insects. Allergies affect an estimated 50 million Americans and are the most common chronic disease in children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing and red, itchy eyes.

"The pollen count is helpful because it lets people know what types of pollen are in the air and at what levels. Ideally, if people do their best to avoid prolonged exposed to pollens and coordinate their medications with the various seasonal allergies, they should have no restrictions in terms of being outdoors," Dr. Nash said.

Editor's Note: Children's Pollen Count is provided every Wednesday and Friday through October. Please call 412-692-5016 to be placed on the list to receive regular pollen counts from Children's. They also are available at Children's Web site, www.chp.edu.

Contacts:
Marc Lukasiak, 412-692-7919 or 412-692-5016, Marc.Lukasiak@chp.edu
Melanie Finnigan, 412-692-5502 or 412-692-5016, Melanie.Finnigan@chp.edu