'Extremely high' pollen count hits early record

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If you're feeling the itchy, sneezy and stuffy signs of allergies — you can blame a record early high pollen count.

Pollen levels in the “extremely high” range were recorded on Monday for the first time this season.

That’s according to the pollen monitor at Atlanta Allergy and Asthma.

The monitor has never recorded pollen counts in the “extreme high” range this early in more than 30 years of collecting data. The prior record was set March 16, 2012.

And the rest of the state is most likely similarly pollinated.

“It’s just kind of crazy to come up this quickly,” said Atlanta Allergy’s Dr. Kevin Schaffer, who assumes the culprit is a warming climate.

The pollen monitor on Monday reached 1,605 (above the 1,500 threshold for “extremely high”) and on Tuesday rocketed to 3,967.

He expects pollen counts to peak in late March and early April.

“In February, the weather in Atlanta is a bit psychotic,” Shaffer said. “We have nice warm weather, dry days.  And on those days, the pollen will go crazy. If it gets cold again, or we get rain, it’s going to wash it out and reduce it.”

He suggests all of the “common sense” ways to reduce allergies in your home:

• Keep windows and doors shut.
• Change air filters regularly.
• Wipe off your pets when they come inside.
• Wash and change clothes when you come inside.

And of course turn to medications and medical professionals when it’s needed.