Clouds of pollen trigger allergy symptoms in New Hampshire

Pollen season is here, coating cars with a fine, yellow dust and causing allergy sufferers some headaches.Several people in Portsmouth said Wednesday that they're ready for the pollen to be washed away."It's pretty bad this year," said resident Tom Linzey.Allergist Dr. Robert Hickey, of Allergy Associates of New Hampshire, said the pollen is strong right now."We are in the height of the pollen cloud," he said.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Hickey said 25% of the population has some kind of allergy, and pollen is at the top of the list. The current pollen invading New Hampshire comes from trees and grass, and allergy symptoms can range from sneezing and runny nose to coughing and itchy skin."This time of year, tree pollen gives a lot of eye symptoms, red, watery, itchy eyes," Hickey said.Rain is in the forecast, and Hickey said that will help clear the atmosphere, but it won't clear your symptoms for good."One of the problems with allergy, though, there's the sort of immediate quick response," he said. "You know, you start sneezing, but it also has longer-term inflammation. So, it's not going to go away immediately when it rains, but it may lessen the intensity."Some residents said they were trying to focus on the many positives that have come with the stretch of nice weather."I don't really appreciate it that much, but, I mean, spring's got nice flowers," said resident Logan Coussoule.Hickey said there are several over-the-counter medications you can take to help with your allergy symptoms. He added that there's evidence pollen season is getting worse and getting longer as global temperatures warm.