New York Today: The Real Reason You’re Sneezing

(Thinking what I sent earlier may have been too graphic. This is clearer anyway if anyone wants to sing along.) Tune of “How Will I Know” (pollen version of Whitney Houston recording) There’s a town I know, it’s a place with lots to do Maybe see a show, shop along Fifth Avenue (mm, hmm) As I tour the streets, I’m embarrassed in the crowd. As I clear my nostrils, tell me is it really loud (bridge) Ooh, how will my nose (- adjust this morning) How will my nose - How will my nose (- deal with the warning) How will my nose – (chorus) How will my nose adjust to the pollen I'm in despair, so tell me how please, I never know when I’m gonna sneeze I’m asking you ‘cause you write about these things How will my nose know how to keep breathing I’ll check online for suggestions (Please tweet!) Would I be fine when there’s summer heat? Or is it better with rain or sleet. (repeat from bridge) Oh tell me - How will my nose (etc.)

I’m allergic to the Trump presidency and administration. I frequently feel lousy.

I definitely think there is some inaccuracies in this article. I am middle aged now. I grew up with large gardens and for 3 decades I did not have the slightest reaction to plants or pollen. Then slowly I developed sniffles and now my sinuses are completely clogged whenever flowers are in the room and or at any time when pollen counts are high.

HEART-LIFTING ALTERNATIVE Wednesday, sweet Wednesday (The others are tough), When alternate-side parking's Blessedly called off.

This article is misleading. There are definitely allergens to which an allergic response is developed after repeated exposures. For example, the average person has to be exposed to poison ivy five time before they have an allergic (ie immune mediated) response, and in some people it can take 100 exposures. Which is why the early settlers often deliberately planted it -- nobody had been exposed enough to have a reaction at first. When I was a kid, I did not react to poison ivy and stupidly I would rub some on my skin to demonstrate this to other kids. I had my first reaction when I was 40. On the subject of pollen, there is another explanation besides "you're really allergic to mold." When I look at the glass tabletop on my patio some days in the spring, it is coated in up to 1/4 inch of yellow pollen. There is no question that if I am breathing that in, it's going to irritate my throat and if it gets in my nose, it's going to make me sneeze. This is a mechanical, not an allergic reaction. In springs with very high pollen counts, many people may experience this.

Sometime getting up and moving can help. Or make it worse. Depends on the day. Tune of “How Will I Know” (NYC pollen version of the classic Whitney Houston recording) There’s a town I know, it’s a place with lots to do Maybe see a show, shop along Fifth Avenue (mm, hmm) As I tour the streets, strangers never get too close. As I clear my nostrils, tell me is it really gross Ooh, how will my nose (- adjust this morning) How will my nose - How will my nose (- deal with the warning) How will my nose – (chorus) How will my nose adjust to the pollen I'm in despair, so tell me how please, I never know when I’m gonna sneeze I’m asking you ‘cause you write about these things How will my nose know how to keep breathing I’ll check online for suggestions (Please tweet!) Would it be good if there’s summer heat? Or is it better with snow and sleet. (2nd VERSE) Oh, help me, I'm clogging, Help me find some Kleenex now (uh. huh) I see folks are blogging, Maybe they can tell me how – Oh, tell me (repeat chorus)

Here in Atlanta tree pollen counts can range in the 3000-5000 range, and are not all that uncommon this time of year. Extremely high is 1500. I'm 75 and sneeze lots more than I ever did. I wonder if the pollen has anything to do with it?? A few years back driving along our 400 corridor you could see a green mist of pollen blowing across the highway. No kidding.

Most of my life,no allergies. 4 cats, no allergies. No cats no allergies. 74yrs huge allergic reaction to this years pollen. I may be forced to get a cat! Unscientific but empathic thinking.

Not sure I agree with the premise of this article. I had cats since I was a kid. I did not become allergic to them until I was in my mid-thirties.

I was told by an allergist that when it rains the pollen breaks up and is dispersed and that is why your allergy symptoms increase after it rains.

THE RAIN IT RAINETH MAYBE "I think it's raining,' she said, And of course that's her prerogative. My reply: "I think it's not-- Does that count as being negative?"

THE RAIN IT RAINETH MAYBE "I think it's raining,' she said, And of course that's her prerogative. My reply: "I think it's not-- Does that count as being negative?"

I am left with a question about this phenomenon regarding mold spores. I have been convinced that since Katrina my awareness the dangers of mold have been increased. However, I have been more concerned about indoor mold, than outdoor, especially since finding indoor mold involves tearing into walls. I am glad to see this discrepancy between pollen and mold brought together. Perhaps there will be more comments of enlightenment.

Just a reminder one size does not fit all, I did develop allergies in my late fifties to tree pollen and in my sixties they are still going strong.