Tis the season for sneezing and itchy eyes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Spring has arrived and with it the pollen. Many are complaining of allergy symptoms.

• Check daily pollen counts from Carolinas Asthma and Allergy here

The pollen count has become much worse over the last couple of days, coating cars, furniture and sidewalks.

Charlotte resident Lynne Lainis has a unique description for her pollen-covered car.

"It's the Plaza Midwood sexy look,” she said.

Tree pollen is the familiar yellowish cake gluing itself to cars that has people speeding into the car wash.

With pollen grains growing to over 1,100 per cubic meter, it really may be a futile gesture.

"I just got my car washed, and the pollen is again on my car,” Charlotte resident Teanna Adams said. “It was a waste of getting a car wash."

Statistics from the Carolina Allergy and Asthma Center suggests the count is high even for Charlotte for this time of year.

The pollen is causing health issues and allergic reactions.

"It's aggravating,” Charlotte resident Alesis Jackson said. “You feel lazy, like you just want to stay in bed."

"I'm a realtor, so people are always moving to Charlotte and they come down with allergies when they get into this area,” Lainis said. “You have to get acclimated.”

Experts say to avoid the headache, head straight from your house to your car in the morning, because that’s when the pollen is at its worst.

5 tips to help with spring allergies:

• Start taking over-the-counter allergy medicine now
• Keep windows closed in your home and car
• Give your pets a bath frequently
• Take shower or bath before bed
• Avoid being outdoors when pollen count is highest

Info provided by U.S. News and World Report.

Cox Media Group