Pollen levels are sky high in SC right now. Here’s when relief may come in your city
It’s been a rough week or so for allergy sufferers in South Carolina.
Pollen counts were annoyingly high all last week for much of the state, according to pollen.com. And this week so far has been much of the same.
For instance, Columbia had a high pollen count of 10.7 on Monday, pollen.com shows. The site’s pollen count system goes up to as much as 12 on the high end. Columbia reached a pollen count of 11 on March 10, its highest level so far this year.
The pollen forecast shows some relief from the yellow stuff in South Carolina on Friday and Saturday. However, the level of relief varies around the state, given that some cities are struggling with higher pollen counts than others.
Below is a chart of major South Carolina cities and a forecast of their pollen counts through Saturday.
| City | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Columbia | High: 9.9 | High: 10.3 | High: 10.8 | Medium: 7.2 | Medium high: 8.5 |
| Greenville | Medium high: 9.3 | High: 10.4 | High: 10.3 | Medium: 7.1 | Medium: 6.7 |
| Spartanburg | Medium high: 9.3 | High: 10.4 | High: 10.3 | Medium: 7.1 | Medium: 6.7 |
| Myrtle Beach | High: 9.9 | High: 10.3 | High: 10.8 | Medium: 7.2 | Medium high: 8.5 |
| Charleston | High: 10.1 | High: 10.5 | High: 10.8 | Medium high: 7.3 | Medium high: 8.2 |
| Hilton Head | High: 9.9 | High: 10.5 | High: 10.7 | Medium high: 8.2 | Medium high: 8.7 |
Allergies in South Carolina
According to the Medical University of South Carolina, tree pollen is the main cause of trouble for most allergy sufferers each spring. The specific culprits are oak, pine, willow and birch trees. Also, tree pollen season tends to end around May.
Allergies are the result of immune system reactions to allergens. When a person encounters something they are allergic to, different chemicals, including histamine, are released. All allergy symptoms are caused by these chemicals.
How to manage spring allergies in South Carolina
- Wear a mask while doing yard work
- Shower after being outside
- Regularly chance A/C filters
- Use an air purifier
- Keep windows closed during the pollen season
