Spring and summer are the most-awaited seasons of the year. The grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and trees are turning green. They’re the perfect time to go out for a swim while enjoying the beauty of nature. But, if you suffer from allergies, within moments of entering the water, you might find yourself sneezing instead.
Pollens often accumulate in pools, sticking to the water’s surface. They aren’t necessarily bad, but they compromise the water’s quality and can cause an itchy throat, runny nose, and swollen and watery eyes. Read why it’s crucial to call for pool services in John’s Creek to get rid of these irritants.
Pollen and Seasonal Allergies
While seasonal allergies often aren’t life-threatening, they significantly affect the quality of a person’s life. The burden of avoiding these irritants and the fear of accidental exposure increases anxiety. Symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing can also be bothersome to a point where they disrupt many activities, resulting in impaired social functioning.
Pollen grains from the flowers, cones, and leaves of trees and even grass are some of the top triggers of allergies. They’re fine, powdery spores produced for reproductive purposes. They’re so small you can’t fish them out of the water, so you have to call for a pool service to clean them up. Oak, elm, birch, and maple are the most common producers of these irritants.
Since pollen grains are carried by the wind, they may land on the eyes, nose, or skin and find their way into the mucous membranes. The immune system then attacks them as they would any foreign body. A person exposed to these irritants may exhibit mild symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and rashes, or fatal reactions like the constriction of the airways.
Pollen and Blue-Green Algae
Algae are capable of triggering allergies, and they give rise to mild and severe illnesses. They grow from the tiny spores that land in your pool.
If you let a significant amount of pollen sit long enough in your pool, its crystal-clear waters can turn blue-green overnight. Excessive algae growth is a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microbes that release toxic chemicals. It also creates an unsightly, slippery layer that clogs your filters and may cause accidents and injuries.
Tips on Getting Pollen Out of Your Pool
You can’t stop pollen from spreading, but you can clean and maintain your pool. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Replace Your Cartridge Filters – As a general rule, filter cartridges have to be replaced yearly, especially if many people often use the pool. The accumulation of products like deodorants, hair protectants, and suntan lotions causes them to deteriorate faster. Keeping the equipment in top condition allows it to clean the water and get rid of pollen grains efficiently.
- Shock the Pool – Just to be clear: this doesn’t have anything to do with electricity. A pool shock uses powdered chlorine to treat water. It gets rid of organic matter, including sweat, oils, germs, and pollen grains.
- Trim Surrounding Trees – Before pollen season, prune your trees to reduce the production. You should also mow your lawn since the grass releases allergens.
Leave this hard job to the experts. Call Sunrise Pool Services Inc. for swimming pool maintenance in John’s Creek. Get rid of pollen so everyone can enjoy the beauty of spring and the magic of summer.