Mold, pollen counts soar in area
Marsha Sills
The Daily Advertiser
 


South Louisiana has its share of attractions - gumbo, Creole and Cajun music, crawfish.

But not many people consider its "world-class" mold count.

Allergy season is well under way, and the mold and tree pollen counts are high in the area.

"The tree pollen is unusually high this time of year, mainly the oak right now," said Michon Bourque, a nurse at the Allergy & Asthma Center of Southwest Louisiana. Bourque literally counts pollen collected for reports to the regional weather service.

The counts are posted on the center's Web site. Last week, the weekly mold count was 10,742 cubic meters, while the tree pollen counts have ranged between 3,000 to 7,000, she said.

A very high concentration is considered 1,500 cubic meters.

Reactions to mold are similar to symptoms of other allergens - sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

Over-the-counter antihistamines and drinking water will help alleviate symptoms. If that doesn't help, it may be time to visit a doctor, recommended Dr. J. Brent Prather, a Lafayette allergist.

"South Louisiana has world class mold counts," Prather said. "Every plant has a mold that grows on it - whether it's soy beans, rice or sugar cane. When you cut the crop, you release a lot of the mold in the air. The dust you see floating in the air where crops are, that dust is loaded with spores. Even cutting the grass releases mold."

While allergens are seasonal - pecan pollen season begins in about three weeks - mold season is year-round.
"It peaks every time you have a rain and goes in cycles depending on crop season," Prather said.
But allergen sufferers aren't doomed to stay indoors.

Common sense may be the best prevention in limiting exposure to mold and other allergens.
The following precautions are recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:

·  Avoid being downwind or outdoors if possible when grass or crops are being cut.
·  Use air conditioning, rather than opening windows.
·  Keep vehicle windows up while driving.
·  Pollen counts are higher in the morning, so try to minimize outdoor activity.
·  Don't hang sheets or clothing on the line to dry outdoors.
·  Because wet soil promotes mold growth, don't overwater indoor plants.
 
 
 
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