Ragweed pollen in Lubbock is running around a 4 on a 5-point scale, high enough to bring on runny noses, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure.
Grass pollen is hanging around at moderate levels too. Rain won't necessarily save you. A good rain can knock pollen levels down for a while, but thunderstorms can also break pollen particles apart and stir allergens into the air, which may make things worse for some people.
A writer at KFYO Lubbock News Talk suspects the pollen is feeding a headache with its own nickname, the "San Diego Chargers headache." The pain traces the lightning bolt on the old Chargers helmets, running from the right temple, over the side of the head and down behind the ear. Most of the time there is no constant pain. Then a sudden movement or a sneeze makes the whole right side of the head feel ready to explode.
If you have a headache, runny nose or congestion without other symptoms, don't automatically assume a cold, the flu or COVID. It could be seasonal allergies. Allergies aren't the only explanation, though, and those illnesses can share some of the same symptoms.
Not quite extreme is small comfort when one sneeze feels like a lightning bolt.
Common questions
How bad is the ragweed pollen in Lubbock right now?
- Ragweed pollen in Lubbock is running around a 4 on a 5-point scale, which is high. That level can bring on runny noses, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. Grass pollen is also hanging around at moderate levels on top of the ragweed.
Will rain clear out the pollen in Lubbock?
- Rain won't necessarily clear out the pollen. A good rain can knock pollen levels down for a while. Thunderstorms, though, can break pollen particles apart and stir allergens into the air, which may make things worse for some people. So a storm is not a guaranteed fix for allergy symptoms.
What is the "San Diego Chargers headache"?
- It is a headache with a nickname that a KFYO Lubbock News Talk writer suspects pollen may be feeding. The pain traces the lightning bolt on the old Chargers helmets, running from the right temple, over the side of the head and down behind the ear. Most of the time there is no constant pain.
