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Symptom Record Keeping Instructions

After a Reaction Occurs, When Able, Record the Following as Best Remembered:

  • Write down all FOODS EATEN 4 HOURS PRIOR TO REACTION. Such as breath mints, gum, drinks, snacks, meals, all food item ingredients and anything put in mouth. This includes toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash etc. When possible save the entire food package not just the ingredients. Write down approximate times when food/drink was eaten or if there were other exposures such as breathing in a suspect food vapors or touching a suspect food.
  • ANY ACTIVITY 24 HOURS PRIOR TO REACTION Such as clearing land, walking at the mall, exercising, etc…. GIVE APPROXIMATE TIMES FOR EACH ACTIVITY.
  • ANY MEDICINES (over-the-counter, prescription, herbals, vitamin/mineral supplements) Taken 24 hours prior to symptoms and approximate times taken.
  • LIST ALL MEDICINES taken for a reaction.
  • If you have been ill one to five days prior to the reaction, please write down the type of illness and any medicines taken.
  • Choose an easy recording method one that is convenient. This may be 3X5 cards, spiral notebook (any size), or a 3 ring binder. Some individuals have chosen to use an envelope for each reaction. The envelope can hold food packages along with other information. Call the Clinic with questions.

 

Recent News

Very High Allergy Alert Issued for Tree Pollen 10-13-2026
Jake Strickbine
/ Categories: News

Very High Allergy Alert Issued for Tree Pollen 10-13-2026

Very High Tree Pollen Levels

ALLERGY ALERT - VERY HIGH LEVELS of Tree Pollen Detected for 10/13/2026

Oklahoma City has the HIGHEST TREE POLLEN LEVELS in the U.S. today

VERY HIGH RANGE: TREE POLLEN COUNTS ARE AT VERY HIGH LEVELS on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026

TREE POLLEN has risen into the VERY HIGH RANGE today. This is an extreme exposure situation. Severe symptoms may be expected in tree pollen sensitive individuals. More seriously allergic persons should be advised to stay indoors as much as possible. This is especially true if a person has tree pollen sensitivity or allergic bronchial asthma.

Elm Tree Pollen (Lacebark, or Chinese Elm and Cedar Elm) is detected and is the VERY HIGH RANGE. Additionally, WEED POLLEN (Ragweed) and MOLD levels are in the HIGH RANGE, at some of the highest levels in the U.S., according the to the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) data.

Central Oklahoma experiences a second elm pollen season from late August into October, thanks largely to fall-pollinating elm varieties including cedar elm and lacebark or Chinese elm, affecting thousands of people across the Oklahoma region, triggering allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever”, as fall tree species begin pollinating.  These pollen grains can be carried hundreds of miles due to windy conditions.

For More Information -

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 avoidance tactics 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.

It is important to remember that 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 board-certified allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages from throughout the southwest region of the United States. The main clinic is on the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center campus, south of the state capitol in Oklahoma City.  For patient convenience, satellite offices are also located in Edmond, Norman, and northwest Oklahoma City.

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

For more information about Fall Allergies in Oklahoma, visit: https://oklahomaallergy.com/Blog/fall-allergies-in-oklahoma-whats-making-you-miserable-1

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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