P
ollen allergies — what an awful feeling for anyone who’s had the displeasure of experiencing such a thing. The running nose, the watery eyes and overall hit-by-a-truck feeling are anything but pleasant. And yet, how are you supposed to enjoy the beginnings of spring if the first thing you do when you step outside is sneeze?
Airborne pollens are deposited close to the tree from which it was released. You are more likely to have a reaction to the pollen if the tree is in your yard, as opposed to trees few houses down. The Parke Company can discuss with you hypoallergenic alternatives for your yard and how to properly maintain trees with high pollen levels already on your property.
Some things to consider if you live with pollen allergies:
Get allergy tested: Go to the doctor to determine what pollen is causing a reaction. This will allow you to specify what trees and plants you can be around and which ones you should avoid.
Plant your trees accordingly: Once you’ve determined what trees and plants you can be around, plan your landscape accordingly and eliminate the plants you have a reaction with.
Keep up with the pollen index: Check the Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s pollen index regularly. This will give you an idea as to when pollen is most prominent and reactions are possible. Plan your outdoor activities when pollen levels are at their lowest. According to Prevention Magazine, the time of day levels are lowest is mid to late afternoon. In comparison, the time of day when pollen levels are the highest is during the morning from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and early evenings.
Preventing pollen allergies are not 100 percent guaranteed, especially if you live near high tree-populated areas such as Edwin Warner Park or Shelby Bottoms, but the best you can do is take precautions when you are most susceptible. Talk with the Parke Company about trees and plants that create less pollen levels in your yard. The Parke Company can also assist in transplanting trees that cause severe allergies for you, your family or employees. For more information on pollen and The Parke Company’s services, call them at 615-405-6548. In addition, be sure to visit the Weather Channel’s website for a daily pollen count of Nashville.