See that pollen on my car?

That my friends, is pollen. This is what my car looked like the MORNING AFTER I washed it. Yes, less than 12 hours after I washed it, it was already covered in pollen!! (And it was parked in my garage, with the garage door down)

And I wonder why I am sneezing and wheezing?!

You can check the pollen count in your area by visiting the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) website. 


Our area is high in Cottonwood and Birch trees now. Oak and Maple trees are in the moderate category. All I know is that I am miserable. Hubby started to open our bedroom window yesterday and I said, "NO!! Don't open it!!" The problem is that the pollen comes in the room, lands on the bed, and covers everything. That leads to itchy eyes, a runny nose and constant sneezing. Now it's affecting my asthma-my chest is really tight and I woke up during the night coughing (a sure sign that asthma is NOT under control) You shouldn't be waking up at night coughing if you aren't sick.

I didn't shower before bed last night, which means I am sleeping in pollen. We went for a bike ride and I know there is pollen in my hair and on my skin and clothes. I can change into pajamas at night, but that still leaves pollen on my skin and hair.  Then I toss and turn all night and spread pollen all over the pillow and sheets. Then I try to sleep. No wonder I woke up coughing!

Allergy medicine makes me too drowsy to go to work, even the so-called "non drowsy" formula. So I just try to keep my house a safe place and keep the windows and doors shut during high pollen season.

It's hard because Spring is a beautiful time of year and who wouldn't want the smell of fresh lilacs coming in through the window? Well, me. I can't sleep with the windows open or my allergies and asthma flare up.

Stupid body.  But things can always be worse. Talk to your doctor and see what works for you. Keeping the windows closed, avoiding high pollen days outdoors, allergy medicine, etc.

There's no one-size fits all with allergies and asthma, you'll have to find what works for you.