It’s on your car, in your home, and even ends up in your hair, eyes, and up your nose. Like it or not, you pretty much cannot avoid it, at least at this time of year. The question is, what exactly is it?

Why, pollen, of course, and experts are indicating that the levels are at the worst they’ve seen in many years. Once spring arrives, pollen levels hike up and can wreck havoc on people who suffer from seasonal allergies. According to recent estimates, 2010 is slated to be a whopper of a year. Hospitals are already reporting overwhelming numbers of people seeking out help to ameliorate their suffering. Worst of all, the season is only just getting started.

Experts are saying that the problem is especially bad in the Southeast, where in many places the high levels of pollen can be traced to oak trees, which produce upwards of 3000 to 6000 pollen particles per cubic meter. For some perspective on these numbers, it only takes 10 particles to trigger an allergic reaction.

Part of the reason that the problem is especially bad in the Southeast is believed to be due to the unseasonably cold winter, which delays the release of pollen so that everything comes out at the same time, thereby compounding the situation. And while the problem will decrease a bit once the trees are done, plants and grass will release pollen once summer kicks into full swing.

Regardless of where you are located in the country, in most places, even big metropolitan centers, it is difficult to avoid the irritating effects of pollen, commonly referred to as hay fever. Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) causes symptoms that are often confused with the common cold, including runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure buildup.

Hay fever affects nearly one in five people and triggers the body’s immune response to indoor and outdoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and of course, pollen. For most people with hay fever, it usually gets worse around Spring or Fall, though some suffer year-round.

The best way to reduce your suffering from hay fever boils down to reducing your exposure. To accomplish this, the experts at MayoClinic.com recommend the following:

• keep windows and doors closed during allergy season
• use air conditioning when possible
• stay indoors in the morning and on windy days
• get a dehumidifier and an air filter for your bedroom
• don’t hang dry laundry — pollen can stick to it
• shower and wear clean clothes as often as possible

In most cases, hay fever is more of a nuisance and is not life threatening, but it can substantially affect your school or work performance and overall quality of life. If your symptoms are severe, it might be advisable to talk to your doctor or see an allergist.

There are a number of effective ways to treat hay fever, including alternative and herbal remedies, as well as over-the-counter medications and numerous prescription drugs. Your allergist or primary care physician can advise you of your best options and point you in the right direction.

To learn more about the pollen counts in your area, visit Pollen.com. For more information about hay fever, visit the website for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This post was included in The Homesteading Carnival, Edition #143, A Homeschooling Carnival, and A Guide to Healthy Living #4.