SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Trees across Georgia are filling the air with pollen, so if your allergies are going crazy you are not alone.

WSAV spoke with a local allergist, Giana Nicoara with AllerVIE Health, about the pollen impacts this year. In Southeast Georgia, pollen counts are high.

It’s been an early introduction to many people who must battle those tiny yellow particles

“You have inflammation in the nasal cavity and sinuses that produces mucus, and that mucus can cause a runny nose, can cause this postnatal drug, they can cause cough,” Nicoara said.  “It can also affect the conjunctiva over the eye, and you can get watery eyes. Now, if somebody also has asthma, pollen gets introduced in the lung cavity and it can cause inflammation there and mucus production there.”

She said typically, March through May is big for tree pollen. However, for past couple of years she has noticed a change.

“We have noticed higher pollen count over the years in general,” she told WSAV. “And with the climate changes that we have seen, pollen lasts a little longer. It takes a little longer for it to kind of grow and do its thing. the seasons are longer.”

Nicoara urged people who are allergic to pollen to avoid staying outside for prolonged periods of time.

“Try and avoid doing things in the middle of the day, because that’s when the pollen counts are the highest,” she said. “Also, towards the evening, that’s when the highest pollen counts are.  If it’s a dry, windy day, you can be sure there’s going to be a lot of pollen flying around if you are going to be outdoors.”

Make sure that you are showering before bed, as pollen tends to stick to the skin. As for pets, be sure that you are wiping their paws and fur down frequently or simply giving them a wash more often.

If you find that your over-the-counter medications are not helpful, seek medical attention.

Additionally, make sure you are paying attention to your children. Be sure to watch for signs of runny noses or maybe pulling on their ears. Nicoara told WSAV the sooner you treat them, the better.