Heavy spring pollen blankets cars

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Spring pollen is striking Central Texas with a vengeance after an especially wet winter season, and Oak pollen has been showing up in the "high" category for a week now.

Bright yellow oak pollen covers many Austin cars as its count has increased significantly this spring.

Oak pollen has been in high concentrations for the last week, and doctors don't expect that to change anytime soon. Monday's microscope slide at the Allergy & Asthma Associates office is covered in oak pollen.

Oak is a strong eye allergen. Central Texans who suffer from itchy, watery eyes during this time are probably allergic to oak pollen. Other symptoms are congestion, coughing and sneezing.

"Kinda sound froggy," said Luke Horne, who suffers from allergies.

That's how the 7-year-old describes his voice with spring allergies.

"I've been feeling kinda bad," said Luke. "The allergies are kinda bad for me right now."

It has been so bad, Luke's dad took him to the doctor instead of school.

His doctor gave him some advice.

"Everytime I go outside, I have to take showers every six hours or so," said Luke.

It has been difficult keeping this active boy indoors during the height of his allergies.

"He got to do his Easter egg hunt, then we had to bring him indoors," said Aaron Horne, Father. "He's been a trooper, trying to keep his cough down."

Our wet fall and winter are to blame for the high number of pollens polluting the air. And now, everything is in bloom this spring.

"Mother Nature is really happy from the water that came this year," said Allergy & Asthma Associates Physician Doug Barstow. "You can actually see the Oak pollen coating cars. It's been a pretty heavy season so far for the spring trees."