As the storms that have swept across the Southeast move into Atlanta, home base of achoo! ALLERGY, it's a good time to consider the relationship between rain and pollen – which isn't as straightforward as it might seem. In general, rain tends to wash pollen out of the air. However, here are a few points to consider provided by the Discovery Health Guide to Allergies: Pollen Count and Allergies:

• Smaller raindrops are more efficient at cleansing pollen from the air. Therefore, a prolonged, gentle shower is best at lowering pollen counts.


• Conversely, hard rains and larger droplets of water are not as effective at clearing pollen, so don't expect as much relief from this type of weather.


• Thunderstorms may actually stir pollen into the air.


• Higher humidity causes pollen grains to absorb moisture and sink to the ground; lower humidity causes pollen grains to dry out and become airborne again.


• The warmer the weather is, the higher the pollen counts are; cooler weather signals less pollen.

Keeping these points about rain and related weather conditions like humidity and temperature in mind can help you plan your springtime activities around low pollen counts so you can minimize your pollen exposure and breathe better.