The NYC Spring Pollen Guide

Spring in New York is gorgeous. It's also a nightmare for the 30% of New Yorkers with environmental allergies. Here's what's actually happening out there — and what you can do about it.

The NYC tree pollen timeline

• Early March: Cedar and juniper start releasing
• Mid-March to April: Oak and birch — peak tree pollen season
• April to May: Maple, pine, and sycamore
• May to June: Grasses take over as trees finish

What to do before you're miserable

The best allergy medicine is the one you're already taking when the season starts. We recommend beginning daily antihistamines 2–3 weeks before your typical symptom onset, not the day you start sneezing.

When to come see us

If over-the-counter medicine isn't cutting it, or you find yourself dreading April every year, we can help. Skin prick testing identifies exactly which trees are your triggers, and immunotherapy offers long-term relief.

Citations:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology — Pollen and Mold Counts
• National Pollen Index, NIH
• CDC — Seasonal Allergies Fact Sheet