Record Pine Pollen: No Holiday for Allergies

Today's count is the highest Pine Tree Pollen count observed in the Delaware Valley since May, 2012. “Pine pollen is extreme today,” says Dr. Dvorin “Sudden hot temperatures, less rain than expected, and more wind—all these weather conditions likely led to today’s surge in Pine pollen, and outdoor mold spores are extreme too!” Despite the abundance of pine pollen in our air samples, pine pollen allergy is often ignored.

Pine Past Prime? Still Playing Hardball

“It looks like we may be past the peak of Pine,” says Dr. Dvorin “but the heat and humidity are also playing a role in pollen distribution. Outdoor mold spores are still very high, approaching extreme levels, and English Plantain weed pollen. When you consider what’s in the air—Pine Tree Pollen, Outdoor Molds, and Weeds plus the weather variable and the priming effect, the outlook is tough if you have allergies & asthma.”

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

It’s Raining, Pouring: Local Pollen Count Soaring

Tree pollen levels are extreme today. When pollen volume reaches the extreme range, there is the potential for severe allergy symptoms. Tree pollen volume nearly tripled in our air in the Delaware Valley with today’s count over 1300 cubic meters of air/24 hours. Grass pollen volume increased again for the third day in a row.