Eyes itching? Grass pollen replacing tree pollen

Grass pollen revs up in May and reaches its highest point in summer. After that, it's weed pollen in late summer and fall.

In fact, the things that make Atlanta desirable, such as its many plants, trees and flowers, plus temperate climate, also make it a nightmare for allergy and asthma sufferers, said Dr. John DelGaudio, director of the Emory Sinus, Nasal and Allergy Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

This year may have been particularly bad.

Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist with the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, said the pollen season, which began earlier than usual, had several days with very high pollen counts.

"The problem, of course, is that the patient allergic to these pollens had more difficulty sooner and for a longer period of time," Fineman said.

Hardwood trees such as oak, birch, sycamore and maple caused most of the problems. Their microscopic-sized pollen generally affects the lower airways more efficiently. The larger pine tree pollen, which causes the yellowish dust that coats your cars and patio furniture every spring, acts more as an irritant.

Think you get a break from the rain? Perhaps. While "rain will theoretically wash pollen away, in fact, it comes back with a vengeance," Fineman said. "When the rain stops, the trees bloom again. That's what makes Atlanta so pretty in the spring," he said. "Unfortunately, if you have allergies, you also suffer this time of year."

The Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, where Fineman works, measures the city's daily count. The count is based on the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air during a 24-hour period.

Atlanta metro ranks among the top 100 spring allergy capitals, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The foundation surveys U.S. cities to determine which are the most challenging places to live.

The AAFA looked at recorded pollen counts, actual medication usage and the number of board-certified allergists in each metro area. If you are prone to allergies, you may want to avoid Louisville, Ky., which was in the top spot. Augusta ranked 10th, and Atlanta was 59th, an improvement from its 56th ranking in 2008.

The AAFA also looked at asthma, which affects more than 20 million people. Atlanta ranked ninth among the top 10 cities.

Between 40 million and 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Xiomara Butler is among them.

The Acworth homemaker moved to the metro area from New Jersey in 2004. Her allergy problems got worse. At times, she was barely able to open her eyes. A test revealed Butler was allergic to "everything," including the Bermuda grass in her yard.

"I couldn't enjoy the trees and the birds in my backyard," Butler said. Medication helps keep her respiratory problems under control. She now can have dates with her husband in the park. She's even now able to have pets.

The best way to control allergies is to avoid the allergen. But that's not always practical. Here are some tips to help:

» Run the air conditioner instead of opening doors and windows.

» If you have pets, wash them often.

» Wash you hair before going to bed. You can bring pollen particles inside on your clothes and hair.

» See a doctor to determine what you're allergic to and seek treatment.