May 23, 2025 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Individuals with pollen allergies may be affected throughout the year, depending on where they live or travel. In the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area, pollen allergies are bothersome to allergic individuals generally from late February through the first frost, which is usually at the end of October. In this region, trees are the first to pollinate, generally releasing tree pollen from the end of February through the end of May. The pollen peaks in April and is recognized by everyone when their cars appear “yellow” in color. The yellowish color of the cars is due to the yellow-colored tree pollen falling on and sticking to all of the motor vehicles that dominate the Washington, DC metro area. Grass pollen is released after tree pollen, usually beginning in early May and continuing until the end of the Summer. Lastly, ragweed begins to pollinate in mid-August and it lasts until the first frost, which as mentioned above, ends in late October.
It is interesting to note that a short time after the trees begin to pollinate, the cherry trees begin to flower. People both familiar and unfamiliar with allergies often misassociate the two events and wrongly conclude that the cherry trees are causing their allergies because of the timing of the two events. Notwithstanding, the media tends to get it wrong, as they tend to associate the two occurrences, which further confuses the issue. The truth is that the flowering cherry trees are not causing the hay fever (i.e., allergic rhinitis) and/or the eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) symptoms that the allergy sufferers are feeling, but rather it is the non-flowering trees that are the culprit. In general, flowering trees and bushes do not generally cause allergy symptoms. Individuals who have allergy symptoms from tree pollen need to inhale the pollen in order to develop the usual symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The pollen of flowering trees and bushes is heavy compared with non-flowering trees and is not wind-dispersed as a result. The pollen of non-flowering trees and bushes, on the other hand, is light in weight and thus easily dispersed by the wind. As a result, the pollen from the non-flowering trees (“ugly trees”) and bushes (“ugly bushes”) are the pollen that individuals become sensitized to and thus allergic to due to the fact that they are breathing in this pollen causing the immune system to be affected. In certain individuals, the immune system decides that it doesn’t like the tree pollen allergens and mounts a defensive response. This allergic reaction involves the production on inflammatory mediators and chemicals. These chemicals (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins), which are released into the bloodstream, cause the annoying symptoms that allergic individuals dread every pollen season.
The classic symptoms experienced by most people afflicted with allergic rhinitis or hay fever may include sneezing, itchy nose, itchy throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, itchy eyes, watery eyes, redness of the eyes, itchy ears, clogged ears, sinus pressure, fatigue, headaches, snoring, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath.
The diagnosis of pollen allergies begins with a comprehensive history and physical examination. In the history, it is important for the allergist to ascertain if the patient experiences hay fever symptoms or worsening hay fever symptoms in the months where pollination takes place, mostly in the Spring and/or Fall. The next step is usually allergy skin testing (or blood testing) to environmental allergens in order to see if the individual is allergic and to what extent.
Avoidance measures are usually the first things recommended to a person with pollen allergies, assuming that individual wants or is able to avoid pollen. Many things can be done, but it is up to the patient to follow the recommendations by the allergist. Some of these preventive measures are as follows:
1. Turn on air conditioning.
2. Change air filters often (i.e., monthly).
3. Wash pets after they go outdoors.
4. Avoid mowing lawns and yard work or wear a filtered mask.
5. Shower, wash hair, and change clothing after coming back indoors.
6. Drive a car that has an air filter.
7. Re-circulate air in car so it doesn’t come in from the outdoors.
8. Keep sunroofs and windows closed in your vehicle.
The treatment of patients who have pollen allergies depends on the duration and the severity of symptoms. Oral antihistamines are usually the first line of defense. In individuals who need more intensive treatment, oral decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, nasal antihistamines, nasal anticholinergics, nasal mast cell stabilizers, nasal decongestants, and oral leukotriene antagonists may be utilized. In patients exhibiting ocular symptoms, eye drops containing antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, and/or mast cell stabilizers are available. Asthmatic patients may also be treated with inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled anticholinergics, and biologicals. Allergy injections (i.e., allergy shots, allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) are very efficacious as they help in 80-85% of individuals with allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and/or asthma. The average patient is on allergy injections for 3-5 years.
Pollen season is upon us and the Spring pollen is blanketing the landscape in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The board certified allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy have 3 locations in the Washington, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All 3 of our offices have on-site parking and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. The McLean office has a complementary shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. The allergy doctors of Black & Kletz Allergy diagnose and treat both adult and pediatric patients. For an appointment, please call our office or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. Our allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy have been helping patients with hay fever, eye allergies, asthma, sinus disease, generalized itching (pruritus), hives (i.e., urticaria), eczema (i.e., atopic dermatitis), anaphylaxis, medication allergies, food allergies, insect sting allergies, and immunological disorders for more than 5 decades. If you suffer from allergies, it is our goal to improve your quality of life by decreasing or stopping your undesirable allergy symptoms.
