Oak Tree Pollen Triggers Very High Alert

One of the Highest Levels of Tree Pollen Detected in the United States for 3/26/2026

March 26, 2026

VERY HIGH RANGE: ALLERGY ALERT. COMBINED TREE POLLEN COUNTS ARE AT VERY HIGH LEVELS on Thursday, March 26th, 2026

The alert is due to OAK pollen counts in the VERY HIGH RANGE and COMBINED tree pollen counts are at the VERY HIGH ALERT level, registering the second highest in the US (according to NAB reporting).  Additionally, COTTONWOOD and HACKBERRY are also in HIGH RANGE. Multiple spring tree pollens are present: Oak, Hackberry, Cottonwood, Sycamore, Cedar, Mulberry, Pine, Elm, Willow, Ash, Sweetgum, and Maple were all detected.

This is an extreme exposure situation.  Severe symptoms may be expected in pollen-sensitive individuals. More seriously allergic people should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if someone has pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma.  

Spring tree pollen affects thousands of people across the Oklahoma region, triggering allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”, as multiple tree species begin pollinating as the weather warms.  These pollen grains can be carried hundreds of miles due to windy conditions.

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The best way to combat these allergens is to stay in filtered air. OAAC’s board-certified allergists recommend avoiding allergy triggers as the best way to reduce symptoms. These triggers include:

• Limit outdoor activities during days with high pollen counts.
• Keep windows closed (at home or in the car) to keep pollen out.
• Don’t wear your outdoor work clothes in the house; they may have pollen on them.
• Take a shower after coming indoors. Otherwise, pollen in your hair may bother you all night.
• Leave shoes outside or just inside the door so that you don’t track pollen inside your home.
• Wash your hands often. Pollen can stick to your hands when you touch something outside or a pet if it has been outside.
• Wear a dust mask that people like carpenters use (found in hardware stores) when you need to do outdoor tasks such as raking leaves.
• Clean and replace furnace and air conditioner filters often. Using HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters is recommended, which remove at least 99 percent of pollen, as well as animal dander, dust, and other particles.

Some other options include medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines, but it needs to be the correct medicine and should be used continuously throughout the season.

Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”) cannot be diagnosed by history alone. A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies and determine the specific triggers that cause them through simple tests. The allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages from the southwest region.  The main clinic is on the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center campus.  For patient convenience, satellite offices are located in Edmond, Norman, and northwest Oklahoma City.

For more information about allergic rhinitis (“hay fever”), visit: https://oklahomaallergy.com/services/allergic-rhinitis/

Daily Pollen Counts for Weed, Grass and Tree pollen, as well as Mold levels can be found at: https://oklahomaallergy.com/allergy-report/

Visit the OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com to view the addresses for all Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic locations.  To make an initial appointment for an allergy, asthma, or immunology problem or to request more information, please call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.

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