Midwest pollen count indicates that seasonal allergies are expected to be worse than usual this year

Seasonal allergy sufferers beware. Allergy season is officially here and is predicted to be worse than usual, says a news release from Chicago's Loyola University Health System.

image from healthguru.com

After weeks of evaluation, the Gottlieb Allergy Count, which is the official daily allergy count for the Midwest, has detected moderate pollen in the air at a time that is typically low.

Dr. Joseph Leija,  retired allergist who continues to conduct the official daily allergy count, said in the release that the long cold winter with heavy snow is likely to cause "a bad allergy season."

“The prolonged, fierce winter may mean that tree, grass and mold spores appear simultaneously early in the season, causing a triple threat," he said in the release. "Heavy snow means lots of moisture to nourish budding trees and plant life. The continued dampness also fosters the growth of mold."

Here are some allergy relief tips from WebMD :

• Take your shoes off at the door.
• Wipe down your dog's coat before it comes in the house.
• Wash your hair before bed.
• Close the windows and doors, especially on high-pollen days.
• Use the "recirculate" option in the car.
• Service the filters in your furnace and air conditioner.
• Use a dehumidifier to maintain a humidity level of less than 60 percent in your home.
• Check the daily pollen count and plan accordingly.
• If possible, have someone else mow the lawn.
• Avoid sitting outside around freshly cut grass.
• Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not on an outdoor line. 

“People with allergies or breathing difficulties should be proactive now to preserve health," Leija said in the release. "Consult your allergist, have the ducts cleaned on your air conditioning system and start taking your allergy medicine so that when things really heat up, you are protected."

Click here to get the daily pollen count in your county from pollen.com.