Allergy Season

Allergy Seasons in Whatcom County:

                  Mid February through April :  Tree pollen season.              

                  Mid May through July:           Grass pollen season.

                  July through late summer:       Weed pollen season.

                                                               Mold spores are detected from late spring through fall

                  Fall though winter:                  Dust mites and other indoor allergens such as animal dander and mold

To learn about how pollen causes allergy symptoms, including asthma, and for information about treatment, check out the  Pollen Allergy  page.  Pollen and mold counts are provided below.

For those residents who have moderate to severe spring and summer allergy symptoms,  allergy therapy should consist of a  non-sedating antihistamine such as Claritin or Alavert over the counter, Allegra, Zyrtec or Clarinex prescription antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory  nasal spray. Antihistamine therapy alone is usually effective only for those with mild allergy symptoms.  Eye drops may be needed for eye symptoms. Recurrent cough, bronchitis and other respiratory symptoms that develop this time of year probably represents asthma due to pollens. Symptoms usually respond well to inhaler medications. 

For additional information about allergy treatment, click on the following links for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology  tips on allergy medication:    Allergy Medication, or on nasal allergy   Rhinitis

Pollen and mold counts:  

Pollen count for June 2008  Grass pollens will peak around mid June and persist through mid July.

For updated  Whatcom Co. pollen and mold counts visit  www.whatcompollen.com.

For additional pollen count information for Western Washington, see the National Allergy Bureau's pollen and mold counts   NAB