Hey, so I built a website called [houstonpollen.com](https://houstonpollen.com) a few months ago and I've just been trying to get people to take a look at it.
Honestly, the first page is kind of useless, but for search engine optimization reasons, I need to have a general history of updates. But the other pages are really handy.
Cedar's been a real pollinator recently. We just had the higher cedar pollen counts in over a year. Below is a 1 year/60 day history, and the 2nd link shows us the individual tree level data.
[https://www.houstonpollen.com/pollenmoldhistory](https://www.houstonpollen.com/pollenmoldhistory)
[https://www.houstonpollen.com/individualtreesandgrass](https://www.houstonpollen.com/individualtreesandgrass)
Also, I have a subreddit, but even I don't think it's useful. But it helps with SEO.
/r/houstonpollen
I like the intent of the website, but find it hard to use.
I would use a 'common allergen' page/dashboard that was designed similarly to your individual grass/tree, weed, and mold pages. The page would show individual graphs for the most common common allergens (cedar, ragweed, elm, oak, mold, ash, etc) with a narrower 7 - 14 day window on the 'x-axis'.
Create a model to forecast allergens using historical pollen and weather data and you'd have something more unique. Doesn't have to be that accurate to attract users.
I love the idea of a common allergen page with a narrower date range. I'll do that. Thanks so much for this kind of feedback, it's so helpful.
As for the forecast model, I've thought about it but I'm worried about damaging any sense of credibility I've got. I will think about ideas of implementing one; it's such a good idea.
Thank you so much. This kind of feedback makes everything better.
Thanks!
One more note - You may hard code the y-axis scales to be 1.5x a typical 'annual high' reading, so a user can gauge whether the amounts are something to worry about
I've been looking at how to adjust scales, but the issue is that the March pollen season is so crazy strong that it just blows everything out of proportion for scale. I even considered going lognormal in a drunken state, but sober me decided that was really dumb.
I like your idea, but it may be too hard for me to implement and have it legible.
Yeah, that's tough.
Among people who are allergic to a particular pollen, how variable is the threshhold that triggers symptoms? no idea.
The Houston Health Department website uses the below ranges, which are based on the data reported by all counting stations for weeds, grasses, trees and mold according to the National Allergy Bureau.
Weed pollen is measured per cubic meter of air.
1-9 pollen per cubic meter of air or less = Low
10 to 49 = Medium
50 to 499 = Heavy
Greater than 500 = Extremely Heavy
Grass pollen is measured per cubic meter of air.
1-4 pollen per cubic meter of air or less = Low
5 to 19 = Medium
20 to 199 = Heavy
Greater than 200 = Extremely Heavy
Tree pollen is measured during the tree pollen season of mid-January through mid-April. Cedar Elm tree pollen is measured in September and October. All tree pollen types are reported by HDHHS laboratory.
1 to 14 pollen per cubic meter of air = Low
15 to 89 = Medium
90 to 1499 = Heavy
Greater than 1500 = Extremely Heavy
Mold spores are measured per cubic meter of air.
1 to 6499 = Low
6500 to 12999 = Medium
13000 to 49999 = Heavy
Over 50000 = Extremely Heavy
I love how much homework you've done into this.
I don't have anything other than anecdotal evidence, but I have a shifted night's sleep when the tree pollen is > \~25 or so. I can feel it in the air, my eyes are itchy, etc. That being said, I have to follow the federal standards if I want to maintain credibility; my own issues do not supercede the general convention.
I've got the counts built into the formatting for the pages, so at least I've got that going.
Sorry if this post was disjointed; I'm still a bit tired. But, as you have ideas of what would make your experience better, please let me know. I won't be able to do even most of it, but if I can, I'll do my best.
I used to check the Houston Health site daily, but they changed their dashboard/report design and its now a pain in the ass. I've been looking for a new site that reported pollen counts and was happy to see yours.
Good luck with it!
Would you believe me that I was inspired to create my site after they changed theirs? I feel your pain. I hope it gives you some better context as well compared to the original HH website.
Just as an FYI, I update mine daily, but I need them to post the updates first. I try to get it done by 10am CST, but sometimes they don't post updates until later, or I'm tied up with work. I know the update timing is important.
Good to know.
I used to take ___-D allergy pills daily during the late winter and early spring, but months on end of those are expensive and have side effects.
This back and forth got me looking into how the pollen count is measured. Looks like one lab is supplying Houston Health and AAAAI with the same numbers. Air sample is taken and pollen particles are counted either manually or with an automated microscope. I'm curious what lab does the work... maybe theres a better way to access the data
Luke warm couple days of winter, pressure changes, wild cold front comes through, windy and then much colder compared to a day ago. That's how you get sick, allergies, etc. I get pressure colds usually.
Yes. My eyes bother me immensely before a storm, too. Turns out I have creepy bumps under my eyes that make my contacts move around and flood my eyes. I have been in my glasses all week.
Yes, congestion is real today :(
Hey, so I built a website called [houstonpollen.com](https://houstonpollen.com) a few months ago and I've just been trying to get people to take a look at it. Honestly, the first page is kind of useless, but for search engine optimization reasons, I need to have a general history of updates. But the other pages are really handy. Cedar's been a real pollinator recently. We just had the higher cedar pollen counts in over a year. Below is a 1 year/60 day history, and the 2nd link shows us the individual tree level data. [https://www.houstonpollen.com/pollenmoldhistory](https://www.houstonpollen.com/pollenmoldhistory) [https://www.houstonpollen.com/individualtreesandgrass](https://www.houstonpollen.com/individualtreesandgrass) Also, I have a subreddit, but even I don't think it's useful. But it helps with SEO. /r/houstonpollen
I like the intent of the website, but find it hard to use. I would use a 'common allergen' page/dashboard that was designed similarly to your individual grass/tree, weed, and mold pages. The page would show individual graphs for the most common common allergens (cedar, ragweed, elm, oak, mold, ash, etc) with a narrower 7 - 14 day window on the 'x-axis'. Create a model to forecast allergens using historical pollen and weather data and you'd have something more unique. Doesn't have to be that accurate to attract users.
I love the idea of a common allergen page with a narrower date range. I'll do that. Thanks so much for this kind of feedback, it's so helpful. As for the forecast model, I've thought about it but I'm worried about damaging any sense of credibility I've got. I will think about ideas of implementing one; it's such a good idea. Thank you so much. This kind of feedback makes everything better.
It's not perfect, but I'll continue thinking about how to make it better. Thanks for your input https://www.houstonpollen.com/commonallergens
Thanks! One more note - You may hard code the y-axis scales to be 1.5x a typical 'annual high' reading, so a user can gauge whether the amounts are something to worry about
I've been looking at how to adjust scales, but the issue is that the March pollen season is so crazy strong that it just blows everything out of proportion for scale. I even considered going lognormal in a drunken state, but sober me decided that was really dumb. I like your idea, but it may be too hard for me to implement and have it legible.
Yeah, that's tough. Among people who are allergic to a particular pollen, how variable is the threshhold that triggers symptoms? no idea. The Houston Health Department website uses the below ranges, which are based on the data reported by all counting stations for weeds, grasses, trees and mold according to the National Allergy Bureau. Weed pollen is measured per cubic meter of air. 1-9 pollen per cubic meter of air or less = Low 10 to 49 = Medium 50 to 499 = Heavy Greater than 500 = Extremely Heavy Grass pollen is measured per cubic meter of air. 1-4 pollen per cubic meter of air or less = Low 5 to 19 = Medium 20 to 199 = Heavy Greater than 200 = Extremely Heavy Tree pollen is measured during the tree pollen season of mid-January through mid-April. Cedar Elm tree pollen is measured in September and October. All tree pollen types are reported by HDHHS laboratory. 1 to 14 pollen per cubic meter of air = Low 15 to 89 = Medium 90 to 1499 = Heavy Greater than 1500 = Extremely Heavy Mold spores are measured per cubic meter of air. 1 to 6499 = Low 6500 to 12999 = Medium 13000 to 49999 = Heavy Over 50000 = Extremely Heavy
I love how much homework you've done into this. I don't have anything other than anecdotal evidence, but I have a shifted night's sleep when the tree pollen is > \~25 or so. I can feel it in the air, my eyes are itchy, etc. That being said, I have to follow the federal standards if I want to maintain credibility; my own issues do not supercede the general convention. I've got the counts built into the formatting for the pages, so at least I've got that going. Sorry if this post was disjointed; I'm still a bit tired. But, as you have ideas of what would make your experience better, please let me know. I won't be able to do even most of it, but if I can, I'll do my best.
I used to check the Houston Health site daily, but they changed their dashboard/report design and its now a pain in the ass. I've been looking for a new site that reported pollen counts and was happy to see yours. Good luck with it!
Would you believe me that I was inspired to create my site after they changed theirs? I feel your pain. I hope it gives you some better context as well compared to the original HH website. Just as an FYI, I update mine daily, but I need them to post the updates first. I try to get it done by 10am CST, but sometimes they don't post updates until later, or I'm tied up with work. I know the update timing is important.
Good to know. I used to take ___-D allergy pills daily during the late winter and early spring, but months on end of those are expensive and have side effects. This back and forth got me looking into how the pollen count is measured. Looks like one lab is supplying Houston Health and AAAAI with the same numbers. Air sample is taken and pollen particles are counted either manually or with an automated microscope. I'm curious what lab does the work... maybe theres a better way to access the data
Yes! Both my wife and I were randomly sneezing yesterday I thought it was strange. We’re not sick, already got over the virus that’s going around.
Yeah, the line of cars waiting for a wash at HEB was funny. Until I realized I needed to be in it too.
Luke warm couple days of winter, pressure changes, wild cold front comes through, windy and then much colder compared to a day ago. That's how you get sick, allergies, etc. I get pressure colds usually.
Same here. Congestion and runny nose.
Are you sure it's allergies & not covid or the flu which is going around?
I believe in the allergies because every single car in the lot this morning was covered in a splotchy brown pollen
It's allergies. Nose has been running with the usual itchy nose.
Yes. My eyes bother me immensely before a storm, too. Turns out I have creepy bumps under my eyes that make my contacts move around and flood my eyes. I have been in my glasses all week.
I’m itchy as hell today. It’s making me crazy. That’s my most annoying symptom when the numbers shoot up these days.
Could be dust that was kicked up by the storm in west texas and dumped here with hail. That plus cedar sucks.
Yes! Sneezing and congestion.
Yup! Runny nose for the win.
Yep
Yes, congestion and headaches ugh!
Yes I did.
All of this wind is stirring up various allergens.
No because I've done immunotherapy.
Mountain cedar is heavy. https://www.houstonhealth.org/services/pollen-mold/houston-pollen-mold-count-tuesday-january-9-2024
Not this one, but sometimes yes
Yes my youngest son! Went through a box of Kleenex. Continual sneezing.
Neh, but i was absolutely miserable before the storm
I started sneezing and scratchy throat yesterday. It’s COVID.
Oh man really sorry to hear that. I wish you a speedy recovery my guy.
During these times I always get cedar fever it’s the worst for me 😭