Anyone who has visited Ole Miss during the past few weeks has probably noticed the sudden explosion of pollen that is a result of the recent warming trend.
Botany expert and postdoctoral research associate Vijayasankar Raman said the pollen count for April 9 was 276, much higher than the count of 30 taken a week before.
The pollen count is a number that represents how many grains of plant pollen were in a cubic meter of air during a specific period of time.
According to Raman, the sudden increase in temperature triggered high pollen production from several types of trees and grasses.
“Warm and windy weather, as we are seeing now, increases the mobility of pollen grains,” he said.
According to Raman, the plants primarily responsible for the large amount of pollen produced during the spring in Mississippi are eastern red cedars, oak trees, red maple trees, elm trees, European alder trees and several types of grasses.
Mississippians can expect this pollen to be around in high numbers for a few more weeks, but rain or cold air may lower the amount in the air.
“Peak flowering of trees will gradually subside from May onwards, and thus tree pollen counts may decrease,” Raman said.
According to Raman, pollen grains are male reproductive spores produced by plants that allow the female plant to produce seeds.
These plants rely on factors such as the wind, bees, hummingbirds and other animals to help transfer the pollen grains to the female plants.
Raman said the yellow dust many people find on their cars and other surfaces is pollen that did not reach the female flower.
Senior forensic chemistry major Sara Dempsey said the pollen on her gray car is frustrating, but she is grateful it does not affect her health.
“It doesn’t really bother me personally since I don’t have bad allergies,” Dempsey said.
“But I know my roommates and friends, they’re sneezing all over the place because of it.”
Junior music education major Katie Shuford shared Dempsey’s frustration with pollen coating her car, but she said she was more irritated with how it has affected her body.
“It’s not helping my general health,” Shuford said. “I’m a music major and I sing, so that’s a problem when there’s so much pollen.”
Sandra Bentley, director of the Student Health Center Pharmacy, said the Health Center has noticed an increase of students coming in for allergy problems, but this increase is common each year in April.
To help cope with this pollen outbreak, Bentley suggested the use of antihistamines such as Claritin or Zyrtec.
This should help with allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny noses, but more severe allergies require a visit to a health care provider for prescription products.
“Most of the pollen allergies are caused by the trees, grasses and other weeds with small and non-showy flowers,” Raman said.
Raman suggested that people stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. or when it is warm and windy out because pollen levels are usually higher during these times.
