Is It Allergy Season In San Diego

Your Guide To Surviving San Diego Allergy Season

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This 3-minute online allergy quiz was designed by allergists to give you the best recommendation for treating your unique allergy symptoms.

At PDXtoday, we love everything about fall. Almost everything cozy sweaters are great, but we could do without the inevitable spike in allergies.

But you dont have to suffer in sneezy, itchy silence. Picnic is a one-stop shop for allergy treatment, with individually customized plans that combine over-the-counter and prescription med solutions so you can live your best San Diego life unbothered.

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When To See An Allergist

Many allergy sufferers are able to manage their own symptoms with the occasional use of an over-the-counter medication. However, sometimes allergies can interfere with day-to-day activities or decrease ones quality of life. Seeing an allergist can help you identify which allergens trigger your symptoms and discover the best treatment options for you.

What You Can Take And When To See Your Doctor

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and in San Diego, springtime allergens are in full bloom. Katharine Woessner, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley, explains which irritants are most prevalent now and what you and your family can do to feel better.

When is allergy season in San Diego?

In San Diego, there are allergens in the air all year long, says. Dr. Woessner. May is when grass, weed and tree pollen counts really start to increase, and that lasts through early summer. Pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, itching and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as aggravate conditions such as asthma and eczema.

What treatments can help with springtime allergies?

For mild sneezing and itching, start with over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra. These are non-sedating and very effective, and the generic versions are equally good, Dr. Woessner says. I recommend avoiding the first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl that tend to have a sedating effect, because they can make you drowsy. And in children, they may impede their ability to learn in school the next day.

Are steroid nasal sprays a safe option for long-term use?

Flonase and Nasacort AQ are now available without a prescription, and generally are most effective when used correctly and consistently.

When should you see an allergist?

If over-the-counter remedies dont help, it may be time to consult an allergist.

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Climate Change And Allergies

The impact of climate change has become a dangerous cycle. Rising global temperatures lead to more extreme weather. Weather changes such as heat waves and droughts can lead to a lack of air flow. When the air doesnt move, pollutants react together in the heat and sun. This increases ground-level ozone.1

Ground-level ozone is a major part of urban smog. More air pollution and smog cause higher levels of carbon dioxide . This results in warmer temperatures. And the cycle continues.

This cycle results in increased pollen. This can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Rising CO2 levels lead to longer growing seasons that change flowering time and increase pollen. The length of the growing season refers to the number of days when plant growth takes place. Warmer, longer seasons increase exposure to allergens that trigger asthma and other respiratory and allergic responses.2

If we dont slow down the cycle, pollen production and air pollution will only get worse. Millions of people already have seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pollen allergies are a major cause. If this cycle continues, we may see the number of people with seasonal allergies increase.

Our Allergy Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA.

Recommended Citation

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, . . Retrieved from allergycapitals.com.

For media and related inquiries, contact .

How San Antonios Spring Allergens Stack Up To Other Texas Metro Areas*

National Rankings

6 McAllen 18 San Antonio 19Dallas 43El Paso 49Houston 52Austin 85 Abilene

So where can you escape allergies? Head west. Colorado Springs and San Diego routinely report among the lowest overall spring pollen levels.

*According to a 2015 report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Also Check: Why Are My Allergies So Bad This Year

You Should Consider Seeing An Allergist If:

• Your allergies are causing symptoms such as chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion, or difficulty breathing.
• You experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms several months out of the year.
• Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications do not control your allergy symptoms or they create unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness.
• Your asthma or allergies are interfering with your ability to carry on day-to-day activities.
• Your asthma or allergies decrease the quality of your life.

How Can You Prevent Them

Seasonal allergies, such as hay fever , are often caused by being exposed to pollen. To reduce your exposure:

• Keep your house and car windows closed.
• Limit the time you spend outside when pollen counts are high .
• Wear a pollen mask or dust mask if you need to mow the lawn.
• Limit your mowing tasks if you can.
• Rinse your eyes with cool water or saline eyedrops to remove clinging pollen after you come indoors.
• Take a shower and change your clothes after you work or play outside.

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Allergies In San Antonio

San Antonio boasts a booming economy and a rich cultural diversity that set it near the top of many lists of the nations fastest-growing cities. Likewise, projections show that San Marcoss population may nearly double in the next decade. Once we welcome our new residents, they may notice one of South and Central Texass notable downsides seasonal allergies!

Our area features a robust menu of airborne allergens that wreak havoc on peoples health and happiness. Astonishingly, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American ranks San Antonio as the fourth most challenging city in the US for fall allergy sufferers and the fifth worst for spring allergies.

While many parts of the country experience an allergy reprieve during the freezing winter months, we see no such relief. Runny noses, coughs, and itchy eyes abound December through mid-February thanks to the infamous mountain cedar tree. The male mountain cedar tree releases puffs of up to a billion pollen grains that then get carried for miles by the wind. The pollen clouds float around and sometimes resemble smoke.

The mountain cedar causes cedar fever, which does not actually include a fever but is the colloquial term for an allergic reaction to the trees. Cedar fever refers to intense and sometimes debilitating allergy symptoms including nasal congestion, incessant sneezing, itchy/red/burning eyes, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. People may even miss work or school due to the severity of these symptoms.

What Are Seasonal Allergies

Although the name implies they only occur in the springtime, seasonal allergies can actually strike any time of the year, especially if a person has more than one trigger. Common triggers for seasonal allergies include pollen, oaks, and grass, as well as other airborne irritants. Often, seasonal allergy sufferers go without a diagnosis for years, unaware that prescription allergy treatments can provide better symptom relief than over-the-counter remedies.

At AFC Urgent Care Clairemont, our highly knowledgeable physicians can confirm you have an allergy or multiple allergies, find your triggers, and help educate you on how to minimize exposure to them.

Read Also: What To Take For Severe Seasonal Allergies

Dealing With Seasonal Allergies

Now that you are equipped with a seasonal calendar and knowledge of common allergens, you can prepare for allergy season 2022. Wearing a mask when outdoors will effectively prevent inhaling spores and pollen granules. You could also refer to a physician to know your actual allergies and take appropriate preventive measures. Take your allergies seriously, and you might do good on making 2022 your healthiest year yet!

I am Jeannette, the medical writing specialist here at Family Medicine Austin. I have over five years of experience working with a range of medical and healthcare across the U.S.

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A Visit To The Allergist Might Include:

• Allergy testing. The allergist will usually perform tests to determine what allergens are causing your symptoms.
• Prevention education. The most effective approach to treating asthma or allergies is to avoid the factors that trigger the condition in the first place. Even when it is not possible to completely avoid allergens, an allergist can help you decrease exposure.
• Medication prescriptions. A number of new and effective medications are available to treat both asthma and allergies.
• Immunotherapy. In this treatment, patients are given injections of some or all of the allergens that cause their allergy problems, every week or two. Gradually, the injections get stronger and stronger. In most cases, allergy problems lessen over time.

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How Can You Treat Seasonal Allergies

Home treatment is usually all you need to treat seasonal allergies. For example:

• Clean the inside of your nose with salt water. This can clear a stuffy nose.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier in the bedroom and take hot showers to help clear a stuffy nose.
• If your nose is red and raw from rubbing, put petroleum jelly on the sore area.
• Use over-the-counter allergy medicine to help your symptoms.
• To relieve a stuffy nose, use a steroid nasal spray . This type of spray can also help with red, itchy, watery eyes.
• Another way to relieve a stuffy nose is a nasal or oral decongestant .
• For itchy, watery eyes sneezing or a runny, itchy nose, try a nonsedating over-the-counter antihistamine, like fexofenadine or loratadine .
• To help relieve pain, try acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops

When allergy medications and limiting your exposure arent providing you with the relief you need, you may want to consider allergy immunotherapy. Immunotherapy introduces small amounts of your allergen to your immune system in gradually increasing doses. This teaches your immune system to ignore these triggers, bringing you long-term, often permanent relief. Sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops are an especially convenient option since theyre painless and you can get them delivered right to your door.

Also Check: How To Tell If You Have Allergies

Barstow/palm Springs/el Centro/joshua Tree National Park

The areas of Barstow/Palm Springs/El Centro/Joshua Tree National Park will start allergy season in spring with willow, walnut, maple, oak, ash, and mulberry tree pollen. In summer, the allergies are usually due to Bermuda, bent, timothy, and orchard grasses. Fall allergies are usually from ragweed, wormwood, saltbush, sagebrush, amaranth, silverscale, orache, and burrobush.

San Diego/los Angeles/santa Barbara/channel Islands National Park

The San Diego/Los Angeles/Santa Barbara/Channel Islands National Park areas start spring with tree allergies from cypress, willow, oak, maple, walnut, and ash pollen. Summer allergies include Bermuda, bent, timothy, and orchard grasses, along with ryegrass and bluegrass. Fall allergies consist of ragweed, saltbush, Russian thistle, amaranth, and sagebrush.

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When Is Allergy Season

“The allergy season depends on where you live in the United States,” said Wasserman. “Here in Dallas, allergy season begins in late December or early January and really picks up a lot in the middle of February. Most people feel better in the hot summer months when things aren’t pollinating very much. In the north, the season starts later, but the grass season lasts all through the summer because it never gets hot enough to shut down pollination.”

Natural Ways To Defeat Texas Seasonal Allergies

• Cleanse your nasal passages more often.
• Drink apple cider vinegar with water and lemon juice to break up mucus and boost the immune system.
• Add essential oils to your bath water or tea to reduce allergy symptoms.
• Clean your house regularly to get rid of accumulated dust, spores and pollen.
• Strengthen your immune system by managing your stress levels through self-care activities.

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Helping Out In San Antonio

On a day with a high pollen count, volunteering indoors can help youfeel better in more ways than one. Help out with tasks like sortingand packing, answering and returning phone calls, writing thank youcards, and more.

** Kimberly-Clark and the Kleenex® Brand have no association, nor affiliation with the entities described in this newsletter. All hot spots are provided for informational purposes only.**

Pollen Hotsopts In San Antonio

In February, March and April, it can feel like there’s more pollen inthe air than traffic on the McAllister Freeway. Thankfully, pollencounts drop dramatically in May and stay relatively low through therest of the year. This is the case even during September and October,when pollen from weeds raises the pollen count a bit. And this meansthat you can get out there and explore El Mercado or River Walkallergy-free throughout most of the year. If you want to keep seasonalallergies at bay during months with a high pollen count, though, youmight want to steer clear of parks and grassy areas. Read ahead for afew ways to avoid pollen during allergy season and discover what RiverCity has to offer.

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What Are The Common Symptoms Of Allergies

A number of different allergens are responsible for allergic reactions, according to AAAAI.

Medications/Drugs Latex

“The typical symptoms of allergy are stuffy, runny, itchy, sneezy,” Wasserman said. “Stuffy nose, hard to breathe through your nose, clear, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, sometimes itchy ears, and excessive sneezing.”

Read Also: Where Do Pollen Allergies Come From

Come To Afc Urgent Care Clairemont For Help

An allergy occurs when the human body attempts to defend itself from harmful invaders, such as bacteria or viruses, but the defenses are too aggressive and cause unpleasant symptoms. There are multiple types of allergies, and an allergic reaction can occur anywhere in the body. Coping with allergies is difficult, and even more so if you arent sure what triggers your allergy symptoms.

How Can I Make My Allergies Get Better

The best thing to do for allergies is to avoid them. So if the pollen count is really high, avoiding going outside can be helpful. Medication is also helpful.

“There are a number of over-the-counter medications which are very effective for the treatment of allergies,” Wasserman said. “But the best long-term management for allergy is injection therapy or allergy shots.”

Read Also: Can Allergies Turn Into Bronchitis

Allergy Friendly Activities In San Antonio

Even though pollen counts are significantly higher in San Antonio forabout three months each year, you can still use the time you spendaway from pollen to discover great seasonal-allergy-friendlyactivities in the city. Here’s a list of a few things San Antonio hasto offer, so you can get out there and have sniffle-free fun duringallergy season.

Why Do I Have Allergies

“Allergies are inherited. People inherit the ability to be allergic, but they don’t exactly inherit what they’re allergic to,” said Wasserman. “So, people who have one parent with allergies have about a 50% likelihood of developing allergies. If both parents have an allergic disease, it’s about 80%.”

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Find Out What’s Happening In San Diegowith Free Real

Also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies by any name can make you miserable. But its like they say in the sports world the best defense is a good offense.

Aside from stocking up on the tissues, antihistamines, decongestants, and neti pots a little prevention and preparation go a long way when it comes to avoiding the side effects of allergies.

Check Your Daily Allergy Forecast

Numerous sites across the internet offer weekly or even daily allergy forecasts. This map allergy tracker by pollen.com gives you a glimpse of the current allergy forecast according to city and metropolitan area.

According to the pollen.com tracker, the pollen level was medium-high Friday in San Diego. The pollen count Friday was 9.5, with the top allergens being trees specifically, mulberry, juniper and ash.

However, pollen.coms allergy tracker can be used any time to find the current forecast for your ZIP code. Check San Diego’s allergy forecast now.

Other popular allergy trackers include The Weather Channel and the National Allergy Bureau.

The A To Z Of Allergies

Confused by seasonal allergy lingo? Here are a few keywords to watch for when you find yourself with a case of spring sniffles:

Preventing Allergic Reactions

Here are some suggestions to nip allergies in the literal bud, according to the Mayo Clinic:

If Pollen Counts Are High

Here are a few other things you can do to head off an allergic reaction:

Experts Say The Spring 2022 Allergy Season Will Be A Bad One Here’s What You Need To Know

Look no further than the oak trees outside your home or office and you’ll know what time of year is coming our way.

Pollen has already started to accumulate, leading to a noticeable uptick in sniffs and sneezes. Much more is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

“Unfortunately, we’re expecting a bad allergy season in Houston this year especially this coming April,” says Dr. Omar Ahmed, an ENT doctor at Houston Methodist.

It’s not just Houston. Dr. Ahmed notes that allergy seasons are getting longer and worse across the country.

In Houston, the primary reason this season is predicted to be so bad is the relatively mild winter we just experienced.

“With a warmer winter comes a longer growing season for trees and grasses that produce pollen, meaning a higher concentration of pollen for us to deal with as it begins to bloom,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Pollen counts actually started rising as early as January, but more is coming in April and people should be prepared for that.”

Dr. Ahmed’s advice for handling a bad allergy season? Plan ahead.

“One of the best ways to deal with allergy season is to get ahead of it taking steps to prevent allergy symptoms and knowing how to treat them if they do arise,” says Dr. Ahmed.

Start by checking local pollen counts on your weather app and considering how the day’s pollen levels might affect your outdoor plans.

Still, allergy symptoms may strike, and Dr. Ahmed’s preferred first step might surprise you.

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