ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Spring is just around the corner, but a high pollen season is already causing an uptick in allergy cases here in South Georgia.

Pollen is everywhere, and experts say this is the worst pollen season yet.

“It is as bad as it’s been. At least in the last 15 years or so. It’s about as bad as I’ve seen it,” said WALB First Alert Meteorologist Chris Zelman.

Zelman said that right now, the pollen count in South Georgia is in a high range of 10 plus. That’s because all the trees and plants are pollinating at the same time.

“Usually we have again a delay. Some things will bloom out and bud out and then we’ll have another period but this is all happening at one time so it’s almost like an explosion all at once,” said Zelman.

And with this amount of pollen in the air, that can lead to severe allergy flare-ups. Right now, a third of 20 to 25 Phoebe patients are mentioning allergy symptoms.

“Some people are finding it a bit of a nuisance. It’s a spectrum but definitely, the cases are picking up,” said Dr. Shanti Akers, Phoebe Pulmonary critical care doctor.

Dr. Akers says a lot of patients don’t know their insurance will cover allergy resources like nasal steroids which is why a lot of people try to tough out pollen season. However, 40% of people with allergies may also have asthma.

“The pollen allergies are readily treatable. There’s no reason for people to suffer just because it’s this time of year and people are used to it. There’s definitely things we can do to help,” said Dr. Akers.

Pollen season is expected to subside by the end of March but until then high levels of pollen will continue for the next couple of days.

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