Pollen Making Charlotte Miserable

Mar 28, 05:13 PM

Current Headlines: By Leigh Dyer, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Mar. 28--Local doctors' offices are filling up and some drugstores are running out of remedies as higher-than-usual levels of pollen wreak havoc with allergies around the region this week.

A warm winter has contributed to the vigorous pollen release, said Gray Norris, an allergist with Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center in Charlotte. And conditions are worse because of the lack of recent rainfall, he added.

Longtime Charlotteans are accustomed to the fluctuating levels of misery each spring, but each year brings a batch of newcomers taken by surprise.

Cindy Carrasquilla moved here from Manhattan a month ago with a convertible Mazda Miata, sans air conditioning. "This weekend, I was driving around and literally it was nonstop sneezing," she said. "I'm considering selling my car."

After a flurry of phone calls this week, she finally got an appointment with an allergist -- for the second week in April.

Here are some tips for dealing with pollen and other allergens:

--Minimize outdoor activity between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when pollen counts are usually highest.

--Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from drifting into the house.

--Avoid hanging laundry out to dry; it may trap pollen and mold.

--Wear a dust mask when mowing the lawn, raking leaves or gardening, and take appropriate medication beforehand.

--Consider exercising indoors during peak allergy seasons, especially on windy days.

Read tomorrow's Charlotte Observer for more details on this developing story.

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