Ahchoo! How bad will Willamette Valley grass allergy season be this year?
Medical experts say the Willamette Valley’s notorious grass pollen allergy season is on track for a more “normal” season this year beginning around Memorial Day and lasting until around the Fourth of July.
In terms of severity, it’s expected to be a normal to high season, said Tracy Willemsen, a certified medical assistant at Eugene’s Oregon Allergy Associates.
“But it’s all relative, because we’re almost always high compared to the rest of the country,” she said. “We measure pollen counts and anything over 25 is considered high nationwide, but we’ll often see a few days above 1,000."
In recent years, the season has shifted around, starting early during recent hot and sunny springs while starting late during last year’s cold and rainy spring.
“This year everything looks on track to be very normal,” Willemsen said.
The tree pollen season is already in full swing and has seen some high days, but tree pollen tends not to impact the population the way that grass pollen does, she said.
As for grass pollen, once their sensors start picking it up, it’s expected to build to a peak around mid-June before tapering off, Willemsen said.
Willemsen said only about 20% of Oregon’s population has true grass pollen allergy. However, far more are impacted because the pollen counts are so high it becomes an irritant that brings a stuffy nose and watery eyes.
As for remedies, she said most medications are over the counter at this point. She suggested showering every night before bed so pollen doesn’t get on sheets and pillow cases. She said sunglasses can help, along with air conditioning and keeping windows closed.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: When does Willamette Valley grass allergy season start in Oregon
