by Joyce Good Henderson

Created on: June 16, 2009

Summer is the allergy season for 40 million Americans, but you can find out the local pollen and mold spore counts in your area. If you are a person who watches the pollen counts in order to plan your outdoor activities, you can have that information delivered to you everyday. When the pollen counts reach a level capable of producing symptoms in people with allergies, www.pollen.com will send you an email with an allergy alert and the pollen forecast for your local area for the next two days. All you need to do is register with your zip code and email address at their website.

Early in the morning, your allergy alert and weather forecast will arrive so that you can plan your day and better manage your allergies. This timely information lets you take control. The website also provides a library of the latest information about allergies and relief methods. You can track the previous month of pollen levels and compare the pollen levels in different cities. If you are traveling, you can obtain the weather and pollen forecasts for your destination.

The National Allergy Bureau, part of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology also provides pollen and mold information for cities throughout the U.S. at http://www.aaaai.org/. You can sign up with them for email alerts as well.

The Weather Channel, www.weather.com, provides daily information on the pollen count and weather, as well as articles with advice for allergy sufferers. You will find a link at their website to an allergist who can answer individual questions at the Allergies Help Center.

What if you don't have access to the internet and these websites? Your local news television station, radio station, and newspaper often carry this information during peak allergy seasons. Pollen counts change throughout the day, so you may want to check several times throughout the day at times when the numbers can vary greatly.

Ask your physician or allergist what pollen count level is likely to produce symptoms in you, and at what level you should take measures to prevent or relieve symptoms.

You can also increase your own personal awareness and formulate a plan of action by recording the daily pollen counts on a calendar. Mark those days you experience symptoms and the intensity of your symptoms. Within a few weeks, you should be able to predict your individual response and know what pollen count level is difficult or dangerous for you. You can also keep track of what measures work for you to prevent or relieve your symptoms.

Information brings power. With a daily allergy alert of the pollen and mold spore counts in your area, and personal tracking of your symptoms and treatment, you can manage your seasonal allergies.

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