It's that time of year again. As spring blossoms, those of you with allergies may long for those cold winter days again. Spring in Virginia means trees are pollinating, and that can mean misery for allergy sufferers. And it's not just the trees in your yard that can cause problems. Pollen is often blown from miles around. Windy days can be particularly bothersome.

Trees generally begin pollinating in late February and continue on into June. Cedar and elm are the first trees to pollinate, followed by poplar, birch, ash and willow. Late pollens include sycamore and oak. The most important tree pollens in Virginia are birch, elm, maple, hickory and oak. Pine pollen, which is known for showing up on cars in April, is a very rare cause of allergies.

Controlling seasonal allergies can be difficult. It helps to know what you are allergic to. You may then follow the published pollen counts, which can be found on this web site, on TV and in the newspaper. This will allow you to take measures to reduce your exposure to your known allergens during the peak seasons. Some people require immunotherapy (allergy shots) to get their allergies under control. Others get by with various medications, including antihistamines, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays.

You can read "Outsmarting Pollen Allergies" on this web site for more tips on controlling your allergies.