Tree pollen at "extreme levels" in most of Oklahoma; stay inside if possible

Kim Archer, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Updated ·2 min read
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Tree pollen at "extreme levels" in most of Oklahoma; stay inside if possible

Children climb a favorite tree at Jo Allyn Lowe Park.
Children climb a favorite tree at Jo Allyn Lowe Park.

Tree pollen levels are extremely high throughout Oklahoma and allergists throughout the state recommend those with sensitivity remain inside, if possible.

According to the National Allergy Bureau, oak tree pollen has reached "very high concentration" levels.

"This is an extreme exposure situation. Severe symptoms may be expected in pollen-sensitive individuals. The more seriously allergic people should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if a person has pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma," according to an allergy alert.

NAB is a pollen and outdoor mold spore counting network certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. It has counting stations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic recommends the best way to combat these allergens is to stay inside with filtered air and to avoid allergy triggers to reduce symptoms. These triggers include:

  • Wash your hands often. Pollen can stick to your hands when you touch something outside or a pet, if it has been outside.

  • Limit your time outdoors when pollen counts are high.

  • Wear a dust mask that people like carpenters use (found in hardware stores) when you need to do outdoor tasks such as raking leaves.

  • Don’t wear your outdoor work clothes in the house; they may have pollen on them.

  • Clean and replace furnace and air conditioner filters often. Using HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters is recommended, which remove at least 99 percent of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust and other particles.

  • Use a clothes dryer rather than outdoor clothes lines.

Some other options include medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines, OAAC said, but it must be the correct medicine and used continuously throughout the season.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Tree pollen levels extremely high; stay inside if possible