What to know about pollen in Seattle this allergy season

For some in Seattle, the joys of spring are but a silver lining to the sniffles, sneezes and struggles of allergy season.

The first few warm days of spring arrived early across Western Washington last weekend, jump-starting the annual reproductive ritual for trees — like cedars, junipers, alders and birches — and the amount of pollen in the air.

With increased levels of pollen, seasonal allergies begin for many. As of Thursday, the pollen index, which is tracked by the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center, showed Seattle had a moderate amount of tree pollen, mostly from alders. 

Tree pollen is the first to appear each year across the country, with the Seattle-area season at its peak during spring. But grass and weed pollen, which typically cause allergy symptoms in late spring and summer, can stretch into early fall.

Nowadays, growing seasons start earlier and last longer than they did 30 years ago. Scientists predict the pollen for some trees, like birches in the Seattle area, will be eight times more abundant in our region by the end of the century, according to the state Department of Health.

The culprit? Climate change.

Rising temperatures not only prolong growing seasons but also trap heat in urban areas, increasing air pollution and stimulating pollen production, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Since 1970, the growing season in Seattle has extended by 17 days to a little over eight months, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit that researches and reports on climate science.

That means bad news for those with seasonal allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever. The allergic reaction causes symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy and/or runny nose, red and watery eyes, swollen eyes and itchy nose, eyes, ears or mouth (sound familiar?). More than a quarter of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with hay fever, AAFA said.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, the foundation said, keeping track of the pollen index — the number of grains present per cubic meter of air — is a good first step to help you prepare and combat their symptoms.

It’s important to remember, though, the pollen count is not the only measure that may signal allergic symptoms in the spring. A “low” pollen count doesn’t guarantee a low level of symptoms, while a “very high” pollen count may not directly correlate with allergy suffering, according to the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center.

The pollen count can change depending on the density of trees, grass and weeds where you live. Weather conditions can also impact the count, as pollen has a harder time circulating in rainy, windless weather compared with warm, windy, dry days.

Some good news? Seattle is one of the best cities to live in if you suffer from allergies, according to the annual Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranking of the most challenging cities to live in with allergies.

Based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts and the number of available allergy specialists, Seattle ranked 88 out of 100 cities across the country.

Here are some recommendations from the foundation to stay ahead of your allergies: 

• When the pollen count is high, limit your outdoor activities and keep windows closed, which will help reduce the amount of allergens you inhale and alleviate your symptoms.
• Start taking allergy medication before pollen season begins.
• Use air conditioning or air purifiers with a certified asthma and allergy friendly filter and/or HEPA filtration to cut down indoor airborne allergens.
• Wear sunglasses and cover your hair when going outside to help keep pollen out of your eyes and off your hair. Wear a mask to prevent pollen from entering your nose and mouth.
• Shower daily before going to bed to remove pollen from your body and keep it off your bedding.
• Remove your shoes before entering your home. Change and wash the clothes you were wearing outside.
• Rinse your bedding in hot, soapy water once a week. Use a dryer or air dry laundry inside the house instead of on an outdoor line.
• Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Wipe furry animals off when they come inside or bathe them weekly if appropriate.
• Clean your blinds and curtains regularly. Vacuum carpets, rugs and fabric furniture once a week.

Seattle Times graphics reporter Alison Saldanha contributed to this story.