By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
As yellow pollen dust coats cars and porches, seasonal allergies are plaguing nearly a quarter of adults and one in five children in the U.S., according to health experts.
The surge in Florida of sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion is driven by wind-pollinated trees like pines and oaks - which dominate Florida's landscape.
Molly Jameson, a sustainable agriculture specialist with the University of Florida's IFAS Extension, explained the source of the yellow haze, particularly in the northern part of the Sunshine State.
Related: Expert tips on coping with allergies.
"Pollen that we've seen most prominently around here is going to be from the pine trees," said Jameson. "Any tree that is wind pollinated has to rely on the wind to disperse pollen that will go to the female plant for reproduction. And so it's going to be very lightweight and travel through the wind and they produce a lot of it."
To manage allergies, experts recommend checking daily pollen forecasts, keeping windows closed during high-pollen hours -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- and showering after outdoor activities.
But it's recommended you seek medical advice if symptoms persist or are more extreme.
Dr. Gregory Carnevale, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, described the body's dramatic response.
"Your body's responding like it's being attacked, but it's really not an attack that's really harmful to the body overall," said Carnevale. "Then you get those symptoms that everyone knows as a result of that attack - itchiness, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, sneezing, wheezing."
Carnevale said those first sniffles are your cue to act. Over-the-counter meds work best, he said, when you start them early.
He advised consulting a doctor if symptoms persist beyond a few days.
Meanwhile, Jameson recommends sprucing up your environment, by planting magnolias or dogwoods instead of high-pollen trees -- but she warns not to expect miracles, because the yellow dust can hitchhike on the wind for miles.
