What Is Pollen Count, and How Does It Change?

When pollen counts are high, you’ll likely know it – your allergies might be the worst at this time, so you may instinctively take preventative steps such as closing doors and windows¹.

Pollen counts go up and down by the season and can even fluctuate within a single day. But what is pollen count, how is it measured and how can you manage symptoms during peak season?

What Is Pollen Count?

Pollen count is a measure of the average number of pollen grains per cubic meter². It’s usually recorded during the day, so pollen count forecasts are likely to reflect daytime figures too.

Pollen grains are often measured using the rotorod technique. This uses greased silicone rods to collect particles from the air, often over 24 hours.³ Some devices are capable of measuring pollen counts over a period of several days⁴.

Pollen counts of 50 or less are considered low, while 1,000 or more is very high⁵. These measures can differ slightly according to pollen type.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, pollen count can make a big difference to how severe they are.

View our guide to pollen by season to better understand how the passing months may impact your symptoms.

What Time Of Day Is The Pollen Count The Highest and Lowest?

The amount of pollen in the air varies from day to day, as well as throughout the day. Planning your outdoor activities for times when the pollen count usually drops may help minimize hay fever symptoms.

Learn more about how knowing the pollen count and planning ahead can make time outdoors more enjoyable by watching our video.

When Is The Pollen Count High?

Pollen counts usually rise in the morning, and reach their peak by midday or early afternoon. This is the time of day that allergies are often the worst, since there is a high concentration of pollen in the air.

The release of pollen also depends on the species of plant or tree – so if you’re allergic to a certain type of pollen, you may notice symptoms peak at different times.

If the worst time of day for your allergies changes, you might want to speak to your doctor in case a different type of pollen or another allergen is the source.

When Is The Pollen Count Low?

On an average day, pollen counts rise during the morning, peak about midday, and then gradually fall. So the lowest pollen counts are usually before dawn and in the late afternoon to early evening. But this is all relative – if the pollen count is very high, a moderate decrease later in the day may still leave a high concentration of pollen in the air.

Pollen levels are lower overall at nights, but in certain conditions the effects of pollen can feel more intense – when this is the case, your sleep might be affected⁶. Cooler night-time conditions can also cause pollen to descend to ground or second-story level⁷.

Knowing the most likely times for a low pollen count ensures you can better plan your days during hay fever season.

POLLEN COUNT FACTORS

SEASON

WEATHER

TEMPERATURE

How Do Weather And Temperature Affect Pollen Count?

Pollen counts tend to be highest when conditions are dry and windy, so you may find the pattern of your symptoms changes on days like this¹.

Weather and environmental factors also heavily influence the pollen count throughout the day. Wind stirs up pollen into the air, keeping counts high, while rain lowers airborne pollen any time of day – affecting allergies. In urban areas, pollen counts tend to rise and fall later than they do in the suburbs.

So timing your run or hike to coincide with a sun shower could help to keep the worst of your symptoms at bay – though you might get a little wet.

View our seasonal allergies and weather interactive for a quick look at how to stay protected.

What Are Ways To Manage High Pollen Counts?

When pollen counts are high, you might try these methods to mitigate and manage your allergy symptoms.

Use The AllergyCast App To Track Pollen Counts

Predicting pollen conditions could help you to better plan for them – whether that’s by taking a antihistamine or skipping that mid-afternoon cycle ride.

The ZYRTEC® AllergyCast App* provides an allergy forecast with insights that go beyond pollen count – it’s designed to give you a ‘real-feel’ local allergy forecast. Simply input your zip code and track your symptoms to receive personalized insights.

When a certain type of pollen is set to soar in your region, you’ll also get allergy care tips.

Avoid Outdoor Activities In the Middle Of The Day

Midday can be an uncomfortable time for those with a pollen allergy, so you might find it best to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

If your pollen allergy is linked to asthma, you might choose to forgo outdoor exercise in early afternoon when counts are high. Allergens in the air can sometimes aggravate asthma, so you might prefer to wait until conditions cool or hit the gym instead⁸.

Our guide to allergies and exercise is filled with tips for reducing your exposure to pollen in the great outdoors – such as wearing wraparound sunglasses, breathing through your nose and showering right away when you are back indoors.

Avoid Bringing Pollen Inside

Keeping windows closed, even on warm nights, may help to keep your home comfortable when pollen counts are high.

If your allergy is severe, you might decide to say goodbye to houseplants – some types can emit heaps of pollen.

Take An Antihistamine To Avoid Symptoms

Taking antihistamine medication is a common way to control seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever . These target histamine – a substance that causes the runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and itching of the nose or throat associated with allergies⁹.

You might try ZYRTEC® for powerful allergy relief – and get savings at Zyrtec.com.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If your allergies are stubborn, you may decide to speak to your doctor about testing and treatment options.

FAQs

What are symptoms of pollen allergies?

Symptoms can soar when pollen counts rise. Common symptoms of pollen allergies – include:

Itching of the eyes, nose, mouth, throat or skin
Sneezing
Coughing
A runny or blocked nose
A headache
Irritated ears
A sore throat
Swollen eyes
Discomfort in the nose and cheeks
Difficulty smelling (anosmia)
Hives⁷

Our allergy symptoms hub has more information on the symptoms associated with different types of allergies – including hay fever – and how you might manage them.

Why has hay fever been so bad this year?

For hay fever sufferers, some years seem worse than others. This may be due to weather changes impacting the pattern of pollen release, or alterations to your day-to-day habits. For instance, you might spend more time outdoors or invest in houseplants. Exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution and humidity might aggravate your hay fever symptoms.⁷

Where is the highest pollen count in the US?

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the US city with the most challenging pollen counts and conditions is Scranton, Pennsylvania⁹. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, also makes an appearance in the top 10 – and three cities in Connecticut make the grade. Durham, North Carolina, had the most hay fever-friendly conditions in 2021.

* Available for iPhone™and Android™. Standard data rates apply.

References:

As an enthusiast deeply knowledgeable about allergens, particularly pollen and its impact on health, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article. My expertise in this field is backed by a robust understanding of the mechanisms involved, research findings, and practical strategies to manage pollen-related allergies.

Pollen Count and Measurement: Pollen count is a crucial metric, representing the average number of pollen grains per cubic meter of air. This measurement is often recorded during the day, reflecting daytime figures. The rotorod technique, utilizing greased silicone rods to collect particles from the air over a period, is a common method for measuring pollen counts. This process, lasting 24 hours in many cases, provides a comprehensive assessment of pollen concentration.

The scale for pollen counts ranges from low (50 or fewer pollen grains) to very high (1,000 or more pollen grains). It's noteworthy that these values can vary according to the type of pollen, impacting individuals with seasonal allergies or hay fever differently.

Temporal Variation in Pollen Count: Pollen counts fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons. The article mentions that counts typically rise in the morning, peak around midday or early afternoon, and gradually fall in the late afternoon to early evening. The lowest counts are usually before dawn. However, even with a moderate decrease later in the day, a high concentration of pollen may persist if the initial count was very high.

Factors Influencing Pollen Count: Several factors affect pollen counts, including season, weather, temperature, and time of day. Dry and windy conditions tend to elevate pollen counts, while rain can lower airborne pollen. Urban areas may experience delayed rises and falls in pollen counts compared to suburban areas. Cooler night-time conditions can cause pollen to descend, affecting individuals even during the night.

Managing High Pollen Counts: The article provides practical tips for managing allergy symptoms during periods of high pollen counts:

Use of AllergyCast App: This app offers insights beyond mere pollen count, providing a real-feel local allergy forecast.
Timing Outdoor Activities: Planning outdoor activities during times of lower pollen counts can help minimize symptoms.
Weather and Temperature Considerations: Being aware of weather conditions, such as wind and rain, can guide individuals in planning outdoor activities.
Antihistamine Use: Taking antihistamine medication, like ZYRTEC®, is a common method to control seasonal allergies, targeting histamine-induced symptoms.
Consulting Healthcare Provider: For persistent allergies, consulting a healthcare provider for testing and treatment options is recommended.

The provided article aligns with current knowledge and recommendations in the field of allergens and pollen-related allergies, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking to manage their symptoms effectively.

What Is Pollen Count, and How Does It Change? | ZYRTEC® (2024)