06:32 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 28, 2006

By kgw.com and KGW Staff

It’s a dubious honor – The Willamette Valley is currently the worst place in the country for allergies, according to experts.

Paul Boehlke-KTVB

Doctors say shots are a good way to control seasonal allergies.

Dr. Mark O’Halloren, Director of the Allergy Clinic in downtown Portland, calls the area a perfect storm of allergies since last spring’s weather caused a huge amount of pollen to get released.

Eugene has the highest pollen count in the country right now and Salem has the second-highest. Portland, Yakima and Pendleton have the third, fourth and fifth highest pollen counts, respectively.

This season, grass pollen is at its peak, adding to problems caused by tree pollen.

"As you drive between here and Eugene, you'll pass fields and fields of grass grown for seed and sod and that produces a lot of pollen,” O’Hollaren said.

The good news, he said, is that allergy sufferers have more options to choose from than ever before.