Record Pine Pollen: No Holiday for Allergies

Today's count is the highest Pine Tree Pollen count observed in the Delaware Valley since May, 2012. “Pine pollen is extreme today,” says Dr. Dvorin “Sudden hot temperatures, less rain than expected, and more wind—all these weather conditions likely led to today’s surge in Pine pollen, and outdoor mold spores are extreme too!” Despite the abundance of pine pollen in our air samples, pine pollen allergy is often ignored.

Pine Past Prime? Still Playing Hardball

“It looks like we may be past the peak of Pine,” says Dr. Dvorin “but the heat and humidity are also playing a role in pollen distribution. Outdoor mold spores are still very high, approaching extreme levels, and English Plantain weed pollen. When you consider what’s in the air—Pine Tree Pollen, Outdoor Molds, and Weeds plus the weather variable and the priming effect, the outlook is tough if you have allergies & asthma.”

Pine & Weed Pollen Double Header

Today, pine tree pollen accounts for 75% of all tree pollen currently in the air. There are many kinds of weeds which produce pollen in the Delaware Valley with most typically producing pollen from August through September. However, a few types of weeds produce pollen during the early and midsummer seasons. Plantago lanceolata (commonly known as English Plantain) is one of the “early weeds.”

Pine: Star Player Triples; Mold Batting Cleanup

“For individuals who today are sneezing, itching, have itchy watery eyes and/or other allergy & asthma symptoms, exposure to multiple aeroallergens—what’s in the air—especially pine pollen in our air matters now,” explains Dr. Goldstein. “Pine pollen makes our region unique from an allergy perspective compared to other areas of the Northeastern U.S. where pine pollen is minimal, nonexistent, or other species are prevalent.”

Rain Brings Trouble As Mold Spores Double

“Outdoor mold spores more than doubled compared to yesterday, “ reported Dr. Dvorin. “It’s the weather—the storms and the rain—and temperatures heating up.” In the past 30 days, the National Weather Service (NOAA) recorded more rain for Philadelphia/Mount Holly, NJ than for Seattle, WA!

Dvorin & Goldstein Field Questions: Pollen & Allergy Misery

Dr. Dvorin came into work early today so that he could not only collect and count today’s air samples, but also so that he could answer questions from subscribers who receive The Asthma Center’s Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Count direct to his or her inbox. Likewise Dr. Goldstein started his day early to help address the questions that are pouring into The Asthma Center. We hear the same questions (and sneezing) from members of the media, cashiers at our local 7-11s and WaWas, and the person sitting next to us on our commuter train, and the list goes on and on. We also hear the same questions from our patients (new and current) who are looking to The Asthma Center for ways to find relief from allergy misery.

Aging Oak Reigns…Horse Chestnut Blooms

“You can tell when pollen grains are older,” Dr. Dvorin explained. "Oak Tree pollen grains are still identifiable and predominant in both Mount Laurel and Philly air samples today, but they look ‘older’-- when pollen has been in the air for awhile, the grains start to break down, and compared to fresh and recently released pollen, they just look older."

Smokers Beware: New Study Supports Lung Screening

macular degeneration. To further our understanding of smoking related lung disease, a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM May 12, 2016) found that 50% of so-called “healthy” smokers and ex-smokers (those with normal lung function by breathing tests) in fact have frequent lower tract respiratory exacerbation, activity limitations, and evidence of airways disease on lung CT. It is unclear if and when these individuals transition into conventionally defined COPD and how to treat these individuals.

Combination Inhaler Safety Confirmed By New Study

The Asthma Center physicians were investigators in a breakthrough clinical trial which serves as the basis for a new asthma study just released yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) which confirmed the safety of combination inhaled corticosteroids with long acting bronchodilators in patients with persistent asthma.

Pollen Volume: We’ve Got the Full Story

“Volume is never the whole story.” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again from Dr. Dvorin. Today, however, The Asthma Center is pleased to present Dr. Dvorin’s first local pollen count vlog, so you have a chance to hear him describe today’s pollen and mold count for the Delaware Valley.