If you found yourself watery-eyed, sneezing and perhaps even wheezing yesterday, you probably don’t have a cold. Tree pollen was the likely culprit behind your misery.

On Thursday, for the second time this year, the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic (OAAC) issued a “very high” allergy alert due to Pecan, Pine, Mulberry, and Hackberry tree pollen. Oak, Willow, Cedar, and Ash tree pollen were also detected.

“Grass pollen at HIGH levels. 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,” the OAAC’s alert read.

Thursday’s alert was the second one for 2025, and the OACC says tree pollen counts are at their highest levels in 2025 The OAAC says the best way to combat these allergens is to stay in filtered air. 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.

• 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.

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.

Visit the OAAC website at 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.