Problematic pollen

Seasonal allergies are a very common condition that can make being outside less fun.  The immune system sees pollen and mold as invaders, and tries to protect the body by producing antibodies to fight them off.  This overreaction results in the sneezing, itching, and congestion that affect your quality of life, and maybe even work/school performance.

Pollen levels are higher in the morning, so scheduling your outdoor activities in the evening could help.  Knowing what the pollen counts are could help you avoid allergens too.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology has a map where you can see what the pollen and mold levels are in your area.  Today's report for St. Louis says that mold is high, tree pollen is very high, and pollen from both weeds and grasses is low.  For more details, including which species are contributing the most, see more vodeo