St. Louis Allergy Index & Pollen Count

Today’s Pollen Count in St. Louis MO

St. Louis MO Allergy Index

View St. Louis’ allergy index for today and the 5-day allergy forecast on Pollen.com.

Pollen Counts & Allergy Index Explained

If you have allergies, daily pollen counts in St. Louis can help give you some idea of how much allergen is currently present in the air. Levels of tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen are reported most often, while some reports also cover mold and dust. Generally the higher the count, the greater the chance that individuals with allergies will experience symptoms and discomfort. There is variation in how reporting is done, especially on a quantitative basis, but most systems present counts as “low”, “medium”, or “high” and some differentiate by allergen (oak tree pollen vs. ragweed pollen, for example).

A pollen count or mold count is based on the measurement of the number of grains of pollen or mold spores per cubic meter of air collected in real-time or over a recent time period such as the last 24 hours. This ‘real-time’ data is combined with current weather patterns and historic data in the St. Louis area to estimate allergy forecasts for the coming days. Like regular weather forecasts, pollen counts and an allergy index are imperfect for a number of reasons that we discuss in more detail in the sections below. That said, pollen counts can help you make decisions about your day and help you prepare for allergy symptoms if you know what you’re allergic to, and many allergists (ourselves included) recommend using pollen counts as you navigate seasonal allergies.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Common St. Louis Pollen Counts

Most allergy index report an overall pollen count that’s an aggregate of tree, grass, ragweed, and sometimes mold counts. Depending on what you’re allergic to, how sensitive you are to a specific allergen, and how your symptoms develop when you’re exposed to a specific allergen, the overall pollen counts in St. Louis may accurately reflect your experience or they may not. As an example, you may be most sensitive to tree pollen or grass or maybe ragweed — these allergens peak during different seasons in St. Louis, so more detailed allergen reports focused on tree pollen, grass pollen, ragweed, or mold can be helpful if your allergies are specific.

Tree Pollen St. Louis

Trees release pollen to reproduce throughout the St. Louis Missouri springtime, which typically spans from March into May. Common culprits of tree pollen allergies in St. Louis include oak trees, cedar trees, hickory trees, walnut trees, and ash trees. Tree pollen allergy symptoms in St. Louis will differ from person to person, and can include:

• Coughing
• Frequent sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, watery, red eyes
• Sinus pressure
• Asthma symptoms

Grass Pollen St. Louis

Grass pollen season in St. Louis typically runs from May through mid-July. If you’re allergic to grass pollen, symptoms can include:

• Congestion
• Coughing, wheezing
• Runny nose, nasal congestion
• Scratchy throat, excess saliva
• Itchy, stinging, watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Trouble Sleeping
• Asthma symptoms

Ragweed Pollen Count St. Louis

Ragweed pollen is also prevalent in St. Louis Missouri, and is a prime cause of allergies from late August through to the first frost of late fall / early winter. Ragweed pollen is a common allergen in St. Louis primarily because of its microscopic spore size – just one ragweed plant produces more than one billion grains of pollen per season, and ragweed spores are known to travel for hundreds of miles when carried with the wind. Symptoms of ragweed pollen allergies are similar to grass pollen.

Mold Count St. Louis

While not technically a pollen, mold spores spread through the air like pollen and are often reported alongside pollen in allergy indexes. They persist in damp, humid, and cool environments especially in decaying plant matter, which are relatively common in St. Louis Missouri’s wetter seasons. For the average household, mold can be present in felled leaves, grass clippings, compost piles, and rotting or wet wood. Mold allergens are least prevalent in the St. Louis Missouri winter and become more prevalent as temperatures warm again. Mold allergies have all of the symptoms of grass and ragweed allergies, but can also include hives, worsening eczema, swollen eyelids, wheezing, and upset stomach.

in St. Louis, Missouri

Interpreting Pollen Counts & Allergy Indexes

There are accuracy limitations when it comes to pollen collecting, counting, and reporting. Pollen counters are intentionally placed to collect a representative sample of air in the area, and even though pollen can distribute across many miles, the local plants and conditions near the pollen counter can be overrepresented while unique spots throughout the reporting area can be underrepresented. Another source of inaccuracy is time of day. Some pollens, such as grass, are mostly active in the morning hours and are less so later in the day. Fast changing weather conditions can also alter actual pollen counts in a big way, rendering the day’s established counts inaccurate. Even without these factors, the types and amounts of pollen collected can also change over the course of a day and from day to day.

Relief from Seasonal Allergies

Learn What You’re Allergic To

Dr. Cajigal can help you determine if your symptoms are caused by allergies and pinpoint what you’re allergic to so you can find relief. Diagnosis starts with a thorough medical history, and usually involves skin or blood tests to determine your allergic triggers. Once you’re aware of what’s causing your allergies, there are steps you can take to minimize exposure to allergens, effectively manage allergic reactions if they occur, and prevent certain allergic reactions altogether.

Limit Your Exposure to Airborne Allergens

Allergy-Proof Your Home

• Keep windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons
• Steam clean carpets or remove carpets altogether
• Avoid air drying laundry outside
• Change clothes as soon as you get home if you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors
• Keep pets out of the bedroom to reduce pet dander in your bedding
• Vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust in your home
• Wash your bed linens and pillowcases in hot water and detergent frequently to reduce allergens
• Use dust mite proof covers for pillows, comforters, duvets, mattresses and box springs
• Men should shave frequently to prevent pollen from gathering in their facial hair

Manage Symptoms with Medications

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal corticosteroids (nasal spray)
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists
• Cromolyn sodium

Be sure to discuss any medications with your allergist prior to using them. Medications to relieve seasonal allergic rhinitis, for example, are most effective if you start taking them before pollen is in the air, prior to allergy symptoms developing.

Consider Allergy Shots

Allergy shots are also an option if you’re looking for long-term, ongoing symptom relief from seasonal allergic rhinitis.

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