Spring snow thwarts official allergy count for Midwest

Weather is to blame for a lack of official allergy count information in the Midwest this week, according to a press release.

“The spring snow storm blanketed Chicago in 1.5 inches of snow and also froze the collection receptacle of the pollen-catching machine used to formulate the Gottlieb Allergy Count,” Joseph G. Leija, MD, FAAAAI, the allergist who performs the official count of the Midwest, said in a press release. “I have never missed a single day of reporting since I created the allergy count more than 2 decades ago.”

Joseph G. Leija

Leija collects the measurements from April through October, according to the press release.

“People with respiratory conditions need to know the allergy count early in the morning so they can take the right medication and make adjustments in their routine to improve their health,” Leija said. “Several broadcast networks and Chicago’s largest newspaper report the Gottlieb Allergy Count daily so I am up at 4 a.m. to get the process started.”

Earlier this month, Leija said clinicians can provide the following tips to patients for avoiding severe allergic symptoms:

Wash hair before sleep to remove trapped pollens
Rinse nostrils lightly with saline solution daily to remove irritants
Keep windows closed to protect inside air from contaminants
Run air conditioners and air purifiers to remove pollutants
Leave outdoor-exposed gear such as shoes and backpacks on the porch to preserve interior air
Cover mouth with a handkerchief or mask when doing spring yard cleanups, including raking, edging and mowing.