Symptoms of the Season
March 26, 2026 by Keely Knopp
Spring has arrived. Birds are chirping, animals are waking up from hibernation, trees and flowers are in bloom, and people are…sneezing?
If you typically get congested soon after the snow melts, the culprit is most likely a tree pollen. Pollen season in the United States comes in three waves: tree pollen from February through the end of May, grass pollen from late spring through summer, and weed pollen from late summer through fall.
Juniper, maple and elm species are often some of the first to produce pollen, followed by pines, oaks, hickory and ash. By mid-March there is typically a sharp increase in pollen production, with peak season occurring at the end of March into the first week of April.
In Western North Carolina, spring allergies are typically caused by hardwood trees like ash, box elder, hickory, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, walnut and willow. Pollen from these trees tends to be smaller, lighter and more abundant than that of other species, making it easier for the wind to carry — and for people to inhale.
Inhaling pollen can cause symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, congestion and a cough or sore throat. Below, we’ve compiled a list of tips for limiting your exposure to tree pollen during the early spring months.
Outdoor exposure
The moment spring arrives, you’re likely eager to spend more time outdoors. But for those with allergies, it’s best to limit your exposure until we’re past pollen season’s peak.
When possible, avoid venturing outside during mid-morning hours when tree pollen counts are highest as temperatures rise.
Pollen exposure is typically lower:
- on cool mornings.
- in high humidity.
- after rainfall.
Exposure is at its highest:
- on warmer, drier days.
- in windy weather.
To reduce exposure while outside, wear a hat or scarf to cover your hair, and remove your shoes on the porch to avoid tracking in pollen. When returning home for the day, change into “indoor clothes” immediately, and shower if you’ve been outside for an extended period. Pets who have been in the yard should be wiped down or bathed when coming inside. Remember to keep your windows closed, and avoid drying laundry outside.
General Wellness
Many of the habits that are good for general health — exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated — can help against allergies too, giving your immune system a strong base to fight with.
Next year, plan ahead by taking allergy medicines and treatment at least two weeks before pollen season begins. Over-the-counter medicines work well to control spring allergy symptoms if they are already in your system when the symptoms begin. For those with asthma, always make sure you bring an inhaler with you outside.
Keeping the skin moisturized can also help, as it creates a protective barrier that is harder for allergens to breach.
If you’re taking precautions against spring allergies and still can’t find relief, Mercy Urgent Care is here to help. As Western North Carolina’s only independent, nonprofit urgent care network, Mercy is committed to providing compassionate care for those suffering from sniffling, sneezing or any other non-life-threatening illness or injury this spring. Visit us at any of our eight clinics in Asheville, Boone, Burnsville, Columbus, Waynesville and Weaverville.
Sources
https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2025/03/spring-allergies-what-you-need-to-know/
https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pollen-allergy/tree-pollen-allergy/
