Itchy Eye Relief without the Preservatives

Dr. Goldstein, Director of The Asthma Center, explains, “Spring pollen season is definitely the worst time of year for ocular allergies, and many spring hayfever sufferers are experiencing intense eye allergy symptoms.”

Spring Pollen Season Is Coming to Philadelphia

Pine & Weed Pollen Double Header

Today, pine tree pollen accounts for 75% of all tree pollen currently in the air. There are many kinds of weeds which produce pollen in the Delaware Valley with most typically producing pollen from August through September. However, a few types of weeds produce pollen during the early and midsummer seasons. Plantago lanceolata (commonly known as English Plantain) is one of the “early weeds.”

Pine: Star Player Triples; Mold Batting Cleanup

“For individuals who today are sneezing, itching, have itchy watery eyes and/or other allergy & asthma symptoms, exposure to multiple aeroallergens—what’s in the air—especially pine pollen in our air matters now,” explains Dr. Goldstein. “Pine pollen makes our region unique from an allergy perspective compared to other areas of the Northeastern U.S. where pine pollen is minimal, nonexistent, or other species are prevalent.”

Rain Brings Trouble As Mold Spores Double

“Outdoor mold spores more than doubled compared to yesterday, “ reported Dr. Dvorin. “It’s the weather—the storms and the rain—and temperatures heating up.” In the past 30 days, the National Weather Service (NOAA) recorded more rain for Philadelphia/Mount Holly, NJ than for Seattle, WA!

Dvorin & Goldstein Field Questions: Pollen & Allergy Misery

Dr. Dvorin came into work early today so that he could not only collect and count today’s air samples, but also so that he could answer questions from subscribers who receive The Asthma Center’s Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Count direct to his or her inbox. Likewise Dr. Goldstein started his day early to help address the questions that are pouring into The Asthma Center. We hear the same questions (and sneezing) from members of the media, cashiers at our local 7-11s and WaWas, and the person sitting next to us on our commuter train, and the list goes on and on. We also hear the same questions from our patients (new and current) who are looking to The Asthma Center for ways to find relief from allergy misery.

Aging Oak Reigns…Horse Chestnut Blooms

“You can tell when pollen grains are older,” Dr. Dvorin explained. "Oak Tree pollen grains are still identifiable and predominant in both Mount Laurel and Philly air samples today, but they look ‘older’-- when pollen has been in the air for awhile, the grains start to break down, and compared to fresh and recently released pollen, they just look older."

Pollen Volume: We’ve Got the Full Story

“Volume is never the whole story.” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again from Dr. Dvorin. Today, however, The Asthma Center is pleased to present Dr. Dvorin’s first local pollen count vlog, so you have a chance to hear him describe today’s pollen and mold count for the Delaware Valley.

Extreme Tree +More Grass & Molds = Misery Monday

“Oak Tree Pollen looks like it’s in the peak phase which will continue for the next seven days...Grass pollen is up, and I expect it to keep increasing—historically, our area sees the peak of the Spring Grass Pollen season right before Memorial Day, and Outdoor mold spores were increased today too, probably due to all the rain we had for more than a week," warns Dr. Donald Dvorin

Grains against the Rain: More Tree Pollen For NJ & PA

“If you have allergies, you feel it. Tree pollen increased...Today is yet another example of how weather, pollen, and allergy symptoms are all related, “ says Dr. Dvorin. Compared to yesterday tree pollen count, overall volume increased approximately 25%. Oak Tree Pollen continues to dominate the count and accounts for 76%-81% of all tree pollen in the air in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.