Allergy season has made itself known at UF, bringing pollen-covered cars, dry eyes and constant sneezing.
Allergen levels in Gainesville have been “very high” throughout March, according to The Weather Channel’s online pollen almanac.
The levels include low, medium, high and very high. The most active pollen type has been coming from trees, particularly oak and cedar.
Records for last year’s pollen levels were not available on The Weather Channel website.
Allergies are seasonal, said UF Student Health Care Center marketing coordinator Catherine Seemann.
New plants release airborne particles like pollen that can react with people’s immune systems.
UF’s 2,000-acre campus contains thousands of trees, according to a Facilities Planning and Construction publication. It includes several forested conservation areas, such as the Reitz Ravine Woods and Jennings Creek.
History freshman Jami Lash, 19, takes allergy medication every day.
“Anywhere I walked on campus, the pollen just stayed with me — on my clothes, in my hair,” she said.
Others, like 22-year-old art history senior Amanda Dearolph, are experiencing allergies but aren’t sure what is causing them.
She said she suspects she is allergic to pollen, which constantly coats her car.
Seemann recommended students see a doctor if they don’t know their allergies.
It is impossible to generalize treatment because it depends on people’s unique immune systems, she said.
UF’s Allergy Clinic offers ongoing therapy for allergy sufferers who can’t be treated by basic medication, said Health Care Center nurse Stacy Rider.
The Weather Channel predicts that the tree allergen season will end in early June.
Until then, students will have to brush off the pollen and keep going.
