But you're not home free even then. During May, and especially in June and July grass pollen takes over, causing the same symptoms, often much more severe than those caused by trees. Ragweed, that's what. What this means is that starting about this time of the year pollen sensitive patients often have what may seem to be a 'spring and summer cold', without a fever, but complete with the running, itching nose and tearful eyes. But it's not a cold.
Many patients notice that symptoms are bad for a few days, then seem less severe, then return.
Part of this is due to the fact that each species of tree tends to pollinate at a different time. Maple, willow and box elder, for instance, pollinate early. Birch, ash, oak and others somewhat later. Maple sensitive patients may show symptoms early, then improve for a short time, and then start to sneeze again when oak or birch pollinate. Birch, by the way, is considered to be the most annoying of the pollen grains.