ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — This time of year, the weather is warm, the sun is shining...and cars are covered in a constant layer of yellow powder.
Here in the Tampa Bay area, we have different allergies for different seasons. And according to allergy experts, the current culprit is tree pollen.
The allergy forecast shows high to moderate tree pollen levels from March 9-16. Grass pollen levels are also expected to be high.
"This time of year, we're starting to see tree season," allergist Dr. Mariah Pate from Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, told 10 Tampa Bay. "As we go into the summer, the grasses are going to be a lot more prevalent. And then in the fall, it's more weeds."
This, unfortunately, means in the Sunshine State, allergy season is practically year-round. Plus, data shows that Florida's allergy season is actually getting longer and more intense.
The good news is there are options for people who find themselves with itchy eyes or stuffy noses.
Dr. Pate urges those impacted by allergies to limit time outdoors, especially during the hours when people typically mow grass. And if that's not enough, she says it's never too early to seek professional help.
"Washing your sheets in hot water; if you're outside, maybe take a shower afterward, rinse out your nose with saline," she said. "Then there's medical things that we can intervene to help with. So the first thing is doing a full exam, doing a scope exam. At my office, we look in the nose to see if there are any structural abnormalities."
10 Tampa Bay's Hannah Dineen contributed to this report.
