At One Hour Jacksonville, we tend to get a lot of questions regarding the abundance of allergens in the Northeastern region of Florida and why allergy seasons here can sometimes feel so severe.
In part, Jacksonville’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and natural beauty might make it a difficult place to be when pollen counts are high and the wind is up; Jacksonville has, after all, been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and the US Forestry Service due to the city’s commitment to taking care of its trees and foliage.
The city’s beautiful surroundings can certainly come at a cost at certain times of year. If you’re struggling with allergies in Jacksonville, you’re certainly not alone.
Getting the Most Out of Life in Jacksonville
This is not to say that Jacksonville does not more than make up for its potent pollen-rich conditions in autumn and spring with other natural amenities. With its year-round warmth and unparalleled abundance of natural resources, life in Jacksonville can often feel like time spent in a paradise. It is with good reason that some of the world’s most popular theme parks, vacation resorts, and world-famous beaches tend to be within driving distance of the city.
But the region’s seemingly endless spring and summer seasons can spell trouble for people with allergies; where many states tend to get a break from allergy season so long as the weather is cold, Florida’s allergy season can start when other states are still experiencing a wintry deep freeze. Years without freezing temperatures in the Sunshine State can be particularly brutal for allergy sufferers.
What to Watch For
Common and comparatively mild effects experienced as a result of allergy issues can include itchy throat and eyes, sneezing, headaches, and even excessive tiredness and lethargy; however, allergic reactions can sometimes cause more severe conditions requiring medical assistance. Symptoms can also come on quite fast while out and about in Jacksonville; this is particularly true on windy late summer and early fall days or in areas with extensive natural foliage.
Common Airborne Allergens From Trees and Weeds
Among allergy sufferers, sensitivity to ragweed pollen is particularly common and is often a major culprit in terms of symptoms experienced within the area. Ragweed blooms tend to occur in late summer into late fall and make autumns in Jacksonville a time for keeping a good supply of antihistamines on hand.
As you might expect from a city famous for Treaty Oak Park and other leafy environs, Jacksonville’s beautiful oaks can tend to spell a major source of trouble for those who suffer from allergies. This is particularly true as pollen blooms from the city’s oak trees tend to last for longer periods of time than most other plants, with February’s blooms sometimes extending almost to early summer. Years with particularly high pollen blooms or excessively dry conditions can be very tough on allergy sufferers: Rainy days in Jacksonville are nothing to be sad about and often keep the air fresh, clean, and relatively pollen-free.
Other Common Culprits
Other types of trees that can affect allergy sufferers in Jacksonville include birch, elm, and maple in early spring. Grass pollens from sagebrush can also cause problems for people with allergy issues.
Thankfully, Jacksonville’s pollen problem is fairly reasonable in comparison to the blanketing conditions experienced by some southern neighbor cities such as Orlando, but for people who are particularly susceptible to allergies within the area, conditions can be bad enough that flu-like symptoms can occur. For this reason, many Jacksonville residents rely on air purifiers to get through allergy season with their sanity intact!
As with many seasonal health conditions, long-term planning is key to mitigating effects. A well-thought-out approach to dealing with a susceptibility to allergies can significantly reduce symptoms on a yearly basis. After all, there is no shame in taking a break during heavy pollen days to stay indoors and stay well. As always, One Hour is here to help Jacksonville residents and visitors find solutions to this perennial problem!