Oklahoma experiencing highest tree pollen levels in years

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — If you feel like your allergies are out of control, you're not alone.

Oklahoma is experiencing the highest tree pollen levels in years and the third highest in the country.

"Stuffy nose, a little bit of a cough, all those sort of things," said Ross Morrissett, an Oklahoman with allergies.

Many Oklahomans are suffering, as tree pollen levels have hit a very high alert for the second day in a row.

The Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic is calling it as an extreme exposure situation.

"All you got to do is look out in your yard, look at your car and see all that yellow stuff on your car, on your patio. It's almost all oak pollen," said Dr. Richard Hatch, an allergist at the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

Mulberry, Pine, Sycamore, Hackberry, Cedar, Cottonwood, Maple, Ash, Pecan, Willow and Sweetgum pollen have also been detected.

The Oklahoma wind is only making matters worse.

"You just can't escape it. You know, if you live in an area that has no trees, you're still going to get a ton of tree pollen because of the way it travels in the wind," said Dr. Hatch.

The best way to combat these allergens is to stay indoors, here are some other things you can do:

• Keep windows closed to keep pollen out
• Take a shower after coming indoors
• Leave shoes outside, so that you don’t track pollen inside your home 
• Wear a dust mask when you need to do outdoor tasks
• 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. 

Over the counter medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines can also help during extreme days.

Dr. Hatch says unfortunately there's no real break in sight.

"I would say we're going to get significant levels of tree pollen, at least probably till the end of May and then after that the grass pollen will take over," said Dr. Hatch.

Dr. Hatch says we're already seeing high grass pollen levels, but starting in mid-June it will take over as the dominant allergen.