More noses might blast off in sneezing fits this week along the Space Coast thanks to the moderately high concentrations of maple and juniper pollen.
And wildfires and recent controlled burns during this dry season aren’t helping.
What are this week’s pollen counts?
Pollen.com, run by a Pennsylvania-based company, puts out daily pollen counts and forecasts, using a nationwide network of volunteers. The company’s website showed pollen in Brevard County at “medium-high” levels this week.
The scale ranges from 0 to 12. It reached 9.1 in Brevard Tuesday, Jan. 20, and was projected to hit 9.3 on Wednesday, 8.7 on Thursday, 8.3 on Friday, and 8.7 on Saturday.
What is the pollen scale?
The scale takes into account how much pollen the allergy sufferer is likely to be exposed to for that given period. Pollen begins to affect people with allergies at a level of 4, allergists say.
What is pollen?
Pollen is absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream. Antibodies from white blood cells attach to special cells called mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals trigger runny noses, watery eyes, itching and sneezing.
More pollen is sure to come as spring approaches.
Oak pollen typically becomes a problem in February and is gone by the end of April, allergists say. Then the pine kicks in later.
This week’s pollen forecast
Pollen.com uses a scale of 0 to 12 to rate pollen concentration, with anything over 9.6 considered high.
Where can I learn more?
Visit https://www.pollen.com/.
Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Central Florida sees ‘medium-high’ pollen counts
Reporting by Jim Waymer, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
