Beautiful Trees Cause Major Charleston Sneeze

Pollen counts are up across the nation, and particulaly bad in the Southeast. Most experts attribute this to an unseasonably cold winter. It was also quite a wet winter in Charleston, and this may contrbute to the problem. Pollen counts are up about 12% this year.

A good, soaking rain came last week and cleaned things up nicely. Locals are out in droves enjoying the perfect weather, and it looks like the worst of the pollen could be over. Just remember, don't bother washing the car for a couple of more weeks. Every hour the trees will dump a new coat of yellow pollen on your ride.

See the PollenCast

Oh man! Looks itchy. An electron microscope image shows a pollen grain from the Asteraceae family of flowering plants.

If you are suffering and looking for relief, I have used a combination of Loratadine, an over the counter antihistamine, and a nasal steriod called Vermyst (fluticasone furoate). I started early and took the treament daily and on schedule. It has really made a difference this year - less headaches, sneezing and itching fits.