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Triggers for outdoor allergy symptoms
What's making you sneeze? The allergens that trigger outdoor allergy symptoms are usually the pollen from
trees, grasses, and weeds. Airborne mold spores can also trigger allergy symptoms.
Surprising facts
- Ragweed is the #1 cause of seasonal allergy symptoms
- 1 ragweed plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains
What is pollen?
Pollen is a powdery substance needed to fertilize plants. Many trees, grasses, and weeds produce light, dry pollen that can easily be spread by the wind. These are the types of pollens that can trigger seasonal allergy symptoms.
If you are allergic to one type of pollen, you may be affected only during a certain season. For example, weeds are pollinated in late summer and fall, trees are pollinated in late winter and spring, and grasses are pollinated in late spring and summer.
What are pollen counts?
Pollen counts measure the amount of pollen grains that are present in the air. These levels change over time, from day to day, and even over the course of a day. Knowing the pollen count in your area can give you an idea of when your outdoor allergy symptoms may act up.
An overview of pollen counts
| |
Tree |
Grass |
Weed |
|
| Low |
1-14 |
1-4 |
1-9 |
Only individuals extremely sensitive to these pollens will experience symptoms |
| Moderate |
15-89 |
5-19 |
10-49 |
Many more individuals sensitive to these pollens will experience symptoms |
| High |
90-1499 |
20-199 |
50-499 |
Most individuals with sensitivity to these pollens will experience symptoms |
| Very high |
1500+ |
200+ |
500+ |
All individuals with any sensitivity to these pollens will experience symptoms and most will have more severe symptoms |
Weather conditions and outdoor allergy conditions
The weather around you affects the amount of pollen in the air, which can impact allergy symptoms. Warm, dry, breezy days create conditions that allow pollen to move around freely. In contrast, pollen counts are lowest on chilly, wet days.
Get tips for avoiding outdoor allergens. Go »
Important Safety Information
Do not take XYZAL if you are allergic to XYZAL, cetirizine or ZYRTEC®. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have
kidney disease. Children 6 months to 11 years of age with impaired kidney function should not take XYZAL.
Patients taking XYZAL should avoid operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Taking XYZAL with
alcohol or sedatives should be avoided. Take XYZAL at bedtime. Do not increase the dose due to increased
risk of sleepiness.
In patients 12 years of age and older, side effects may include sleepiness, tiredness, sore throat and dry mouth.
In children 6-12 years of age, side effects may include fever, cough, sleepiness and nose bleeds. In children
1-5 years of age, side effects may include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and ear infections. In children 6 months
to 11 months of age, side effects may include diarrhea and constipation.
Indications
XYZAL is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of year round allergies, as well as a treatment
for chronic hives and rashes of unknown cause (also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria) in patients 6 months
of age and older, and symptoms of seasonal allergies in patients 2 years of age and older.
Please see full Prescribing Information.