Pollen count for past 24 hours is highest in 3 years

ATLANTA — Beating a record is usually a good thing, but not this time.

Tuesday’s pollen count soared to an extremely high 5,098 particles per cubic meter of air, which is bad news for allergy sufferers, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma.

The pollen count was measured on 6 a.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Atlanta Allergy and Asthma said high temperatures helped produce the highest count we've had since 2015.

The top contributors are trees, including oak, mulberry, pine, mulberry and willow. Grass allergens are high and weeds are low.

"Amazing what a little sun can do," Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. "No rain and warm temperatures through the rest of the week likely means a really tough week for allergy sufferers."

Monahan said the next chance of rain comes on Sunday.

Doctors told Channel 2's Berndt Petersen about the most effective treatment this year.

Julie Zweig's office was swamped when we visited on Wednesday. She says while over the counter medications help many, some may still need shots, but there are also liquid drops.

"Putting the allergens, your allergens into a sugar solution. The patient puts it under their tongue and we can increase the dose so they become immune to what they're actually allergic to," she said.

Dr. Zwieg says it's been used in Europe for over a century. The medication fell out of favor stateside, but in the last decade has made a comeback.

"I would never tell people to stay at home and stay away from the allergens. You have to live your life," she said.

The list of the highest pollen counts in the past decade: 

• April 4, 2018: 4,667
• March 31, 2017: 3,559
• March 29, 2016: 4,106
• April 9, 2015: 6,152
• April 4, 2014: 5,230
• April 11, 2013: 8,023
• March 20, 2012: 9,369
• March 24, 2011: 3,939
• April 7, 2010: 5,733
• April 6, 2009: 3,584
• April 14, 2008: 3,332

Cox Media Group