Guide to Tree Pollen Allergies
Read our tree pollen guide to learn everything you need to know about pollen types, related symptoms, relief and more.
Read MorePlease wait a moment while your pollen is being counted
The pollen forecast for your area
The weather forecast for your area
Grass
Low
0PPM
Trees
Low
0PPM
Weeds
High
187PPM
Current location
Stay one step ahead of pollen with personalized alerts!
Sign Up for AlertsFind out pollen levels where you are by typing in your zip code in the Pollen Pal tool above.
Pollen Pal gives you both the pollen count levels and weather forecasts in your local area when you enter your zip code. It can also give more detailed information about the types of pollen you can expect today and for the days ahead. You can even click on the pollen type to see the breakdown of allergens to give you a further idea of which pollen you may be sensitive to.
Pollen Pal will forecast pollen levels over the next 5 days in your current, or selected area, and break this down into Grass, Tree and Weed pollen levels to help you plan your next few days ahead in the great outdoors.
The pollen tracker takes data from several sources to create a
personalized pollen count just for you.
The data comes from
Ambee, which takes its data from:
1. Pollen samples across
the US
2. Local weather
3. Different types of
trees, weeds, and grass in your area
The following table shows the risk level for each type of pollen derived by applying NAB guidelines to our data and taking percentile values from the extended season for each type of pollen.
Severity of pollen is dictated by the PPM number, which stands for Pollen Grains Per Cubic Meter.
| Risk Level | Tree | Grass | Weed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 0-95 | 0-29 | 0-20 |
| Moderate | 96-207 | 30-60 | 21-77 |
| High | 208-703 | 61-341 | 78-266 |
| Very High | 704+ | 342+ | 267+ |
The weather and time of day can also be a big factor when it comes to how the pollen count can affect you. As pollen falls to the ground when the heat dissipates during the evening, this can mean your seasonal allergy symptoms get worse and is why many allergy sufferers have worse symptoms in the night.
On rainy days, you’ll find your allergy symptoms are easier to manage as rain tends to wash pollen away.
Pollen is a light airborne dust that acts as a fertilizing agent for various plants. Trees, flowers, grass, and weeds all produce pollen, especially during the spring and summer months.
It’s not uncommon to think you’ve caught a cold or flu when you actually have allergies. Sometimes referred as hay fever, tree pollen allergies may cause these symptoms: nasal congestion; sinus pressure; runny nose; itchy, watery, red eyes; coughing; scratchy throat; postnasal drip; and fatigue1.
Similar to how the Air Quality Health Index measures pollution in the air, the pollen count is the measure of how much pollen is in the air on a given day. This information is gathered from reporting stations across the country to provide accurate local pollen readings.
| Type of Tree | When they Pollinate |
|---|---|
| Sugar Maple | September - October |
| Red Maple | March - April |
| Douglas Maple | August - September |
| Peachleaf Willow | April - May |
| White Birch | April - June |
| White Ash | April - May |
| Western White Pine | June - July |
| Eastern White Pine | May - June |
| Bur Oak | March - June |
| White Oak | March - May |
In a word, yes. A study presented at the 249th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reported that a pair of air pollutants linked to climate change interact with certain pollens resulting in a change at a chemical level which increases the pollen’s potency. This in turn provokes a more powerful immune response from allergy sufferers3.
Pollen counts are highest on dry, windy days and lower after rainfall or at night – and usually peak between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again at dusk, so avoid these times if you plan to be outdoors. If you plan to exercise outside during allergy season, consider wearing a face mask designed to filter out pollens. As soon as you get home, rinse out your nose with saline or ask your doctor about nose sprays to provide relief.
A tree pollen level above 50 is considered high, while one to 10 is considered low. Be sure to check your local pollen count before venturing outside and plan accordingly.
When the pollen count is high, you’ll want to ensure you have America’s softest ultra tissue (among national brands) around your home to comfort your nose. Made for extra comfort, our 3-layer Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ facial tissues provide unbeatable softness (vs. leading national ultra brands) for when only the softest touch will do -- perfect for soothing your nose every time you need relief. Keep a box of Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ facial tissues in the kitchen, living room, office, bathroom, bedroom and guest room to make sure the softest comfort for your nose is always at arm’s reach.
You never know when the pollen count will suddenly rise. That’s why it’s a good idea to always keep a Kleenex® On-The-Go Pocket Facial Tissues Pack on-hand to provide immediate relief. These convenient tissue packs are made of 3-layers to comfort your face and help protect hands. Tuck them in your purse, diaper bag, gym bag, or in the car so the comfort and superior softness of a Kleenex® facial tissue is always within reach.
“Allergies” are the result of releasing a substance called histamine. This occurs because your body’s immune system mistakes pollen and other allergens as a threat and overreacts in an attempt to protect itself. Antihistamines are designed to help alleviate allergy symptoms by blocking your body’s release of histamine, thus preventing the symptoms. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider to see if an antihistamine would work for you.
If the pollen count is too high, it might be wise to stay indoors in a climate-controlled environment. This way, you can limit your exposure to the airborne allergens and save yourself from the discomfort of a reaction.
Pollen has a tendency to attach itself to your hair and skin. Try taking a shower at night before going to bed so you can wash the pollen off of your body and help avoid waking up congested.
With Kleenex® facial tissues, you can face allergy season head on!
Sources:
Read our tree pollen guide to learn everything you need to know about pollen types, related symptoms, relief and more.
Read More
Seasonal allergy symptoms vary from sneezes and coughs to headaches, becoming more severe when the pollen count is high. Spot the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Read More
Learn how to balance your hay fever symptoms and hygiene with Kleenex® Brand's hay fever tips.
Read More