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When Is Allergy Season Los Angeles

Get Seasonal Allergy Relief No Matter Where You Live

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In the spring, the warm weather will bring people outdoors to face one of the seasons biggest problems: tree pollen. Grass Pollen follows later in spring into summer. Then in the late summer and early fall, weed pollen especially ragweed pollen can make you miserable.

There are also options available to prevent or treat allergy symptoms:

  • Over-the-counter or prescription allergy medicines such as antihistamines
  • Nasal corticosteroid sprays
  • Immunotherapy allergy shots or tablets for long-term treatment to reduce how severe your allergic reactions are

Talk with your doctor before allergy seasons begin to discuss which treatment is right for you.

The Impact of COVID-19

In 2020, fewer people were affected by pollen allergies. When the year started, experts thought weather and pollen would have significant effects. But by the spring, COVID-19 restrictions kept people inside more. This led to less pollen exposure. Children felt the least impact from seasonal allergies due to closed schools and less time spent outdoors.

Diagnosis & Treatment Options

We are here to bring you relief from seasonal allergies! Dr. Schulte has vast experience diagnosing and treating these issues. We will consult with you on your medical history and symptoms, and then recommend skin or blood testing so we can get to the source of your allergies.

After diagnosis, we will tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs. We explain lifestyle measures that can help you avoid allergy triggers. Some patients have success with allergy medications that we will discuss with you. Additionally, we offer treatment options including oral immunotherapy and allergy shots. Patients who go the allergy shot route frequently receive a personalized, tailored Cluster Immunotherapy plan from our doctors, which provides faster results than traditional immunotherapy. The allergy shots and oral immunotherapy decrease your immune response to allergens and mitigate symptoms. Our goal is to get you enjoying the outdoors without fear of the allergens floating through the air!

Why Your Allergies In La Are So Bad And What To Do About Them

Thought you could escape seasonal allergies in LA? Think againeven city dwellers are prone to allergies, and LA is no exception. In fact, the Asthma and Allergies Foundation of America recently ranked Los Angeles as the 66th worst city for allergies in the U.S. Understanding local allergens can help you start combating symptoms and feel like yourself again. Heres what you need to know.

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What Can I Do If My Allergy Meds Aren’t Workingor My Allergies Are Getting Worse

If you’re already taking OTC allergy meds , allergy shots, a.k.a. allergen immunotherapy, make your immune system less reactive to allergens , and for some people, they can even induce a cure, says Dr. Parikh.

By giving small increasing doses of what you are allergic to, you train the immune system to slowly stop being as allergic, she says. This is the best way to address allergies, as it targets the underlying problem and builds your immunity to a specific allergen.

The downside? Allergy shots are a bit of a time commitment. You’ll need to get them once a week for six to eight months, then once a month for a minimum of two years, says Dr. Parikh. You need to be a little bit patient, too, because it can take about six months to start feeling better . But a life without allergies? Sounds worth it to me.

Suffering From Fall Allergies What You Can Do To Find Relief

Today

You heard all about the worst allergy season ever. You know the pollen tsunami swept through and left everyone sneezing and wheezing in its wake. But you want to know why the end of summer is almost here and youre still miserable.

Although spring, summer and fall have different sets of allergens to trip up allergy and asthma sufferers, they can cause the same symptoms, says allergist Janna Tuck, M.D., Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology . Those who have multiple triggers, may not be able to distinguish between whats causing their symptoms. They just know theyre congested, with red eyes and an itchy nose.

Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. It usually starts releasing pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, and can last into September and October. And the majority of people who are allergic to spring plants are also allergic to ragweed.

So what can you do to manage allergy and asthma symptoms in the fall? Many of the same things you do in spring, according to ACAAI.

The most important reminder is to start taking fall allergy medication two weeks or so before symptoms usually begin, says Dr. Tuck. You should also continue your medication for two weeks after the first frost. Both nasal and eye symptoms associated with ragweed allergies can linger after pollen is no longer in the air.

What else can you do about fall allergy symptoms?

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How Climate Change Makes Allergies Worse

Allergies are the result of the immune system overreacting to something that is otherwise benign. That can lead to annoying but mild symptoms like hives or itchy eyes. But it can also cause life-threatening complications like anaphylaxis, where blood pressure plummets and airways start swelling shut.

Pollen is one of the most common allergens. Its produced as part of the reproductive cycle of plants. The timing of pollen production varies depending on the plant species, with trees peaking in the spring, grass over the summer, and ragweed in the fall.

There are two main ways that humans are changing pollen production. One mechanism is that humans are increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have risen from 280 parts per million in the 1800s to 420 ppm today.

When CO2 goes up, plants tend to grow a little bigger, said William Anderegg, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Utah. They tend to put out more flowers as a fraction of their mass, and individual flowers tend to have actually more pollen on them.

Plants that produce more pollen tend to produce more seeds. That also means more pollen-spewing plants in the next season.

The combination of these two factors is leading to more pollen production and over a longer period of time.

Find Out What’s Happening In Los Angeleswith Free Real

Also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies by any name can make you miserable. But it’s 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, Los Angeles is currently experiencing medium to high levels of pollen mainly from Mulberry, Ash and Walnut trees.

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

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

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Whats Causing Your Allergies In La

The environment in Los Angeles for most allergy-sufferers can be particularly problematic because youre dealing with common pollen-related issues, as well as the environmental issues associated with big cities, like pollution, says a physician at Parsley Health Los Angeles.

Especially during an environmental event like the super bloom, pollen and grass levels can rise, making your allergies even worse, she explains. At the same time, were also contending with Los Angeles significant air pollution, which is exacerbated by our geography and climate. These two factors in combination can be really problematic for people with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems, says Dr. Tolentino.

Summertime Is Allergy Season In Los Angeles: How Air Cleaning Can Help

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By Al Uchitel

If you suffer from allergies, living in Los Angeles can be rough on the respiratory system. Our Mediterranean climate allows for long blooming seasons, which translate to an extended allergy season. Combined with pet dander, mold/mildew spores, and dust, your HVAC system can be inundated with allergens that recycle through a forced air system.

High-tech air cleaning systems can minimize allergy-causing debris in your home. Here is a guide for selecting an air cleaning system and improving indoor air quality during peak allergy season. Consider a professional duct cleaning also.

Filters. Its important to change your filters on a regular basis. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to change them as often as once every month or two. Purchase filters that have a minimum efficiency reporting value of 7 to ensure smaller particles are being trapped. Depending on your health needs, you may want to talk to your HVAC vendor about upgrading to HEPA filters, which have the highest MERV values. These probably will require modifications to your HVAC system.

In addition to installing air cleaning systems, regular cleaning of your home, carpets, and textiles, will keep air-borne particulates to a minimum. Contact Around the Clock Heating & Air Conditioning for more information regarding improved air quality in your Los Angeles home.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

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Third Treat Your Allergy Symptoms

The most natural and effective allergy treatment to ease your allergy symptoms is an over-the-counter saline nose rinse, Dr. Rubinstein says.

These rinses flush allergens and other irritants out of the nose before they can trigger symptoms. Be sure to wash the applicator after each use.

A Neti pot or sinus rinse bottle can help you give a thorough rinse to your nose and sinuses.

If you need more help to control symptoms, Dr. Rubinstein recommends over-the-counter medications:

  • Over-the-counter allergy medications are safe for short-term use. They usually ease allergy symptoms within an hour or two, although sometimes they take two to three days to work. They are safe for as-needed or regular use for symptom relief, but do not prevent allergies.
  • Antihistamine eye drops can soothe itchy eyes right away, and theyre safe to use. You can also use artificial tears throughout the day to help soothe irritated eyes.
  • Cortisone nasal sprays are the most effective medicines to help prevent allergies. They can help reduce your allergic reaction. Theyre safe to use regularly, Dr. Rubinstein says, but often take up to a few weeks to have an impact.

Your doctor can help you decide which medications are best for your symptoms, and may refer you to an allergist for specialty care. Dont skip this important step, Dr. Rubinstein says. You should consult with your doctor before using any over-the-counter medication regularly.

When Will Allergy Season Peak In 2021 An Allergy Forecast

Spring is creeping up fast in the United States, and that means warmer weather is on the horizon after a rough winter in some regions, but for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, there may only be a few weeks left in some parts of the country before allergens begin to kick into full gear. And one part of the nation is already beginning to feel the effects of the spring pollen season.

New research from Germany suggests that climate change is now causing allergy season to last longer, as rising temperatures are causing plants to bloom earlier, and pollen from early-blooming locations are traveling into later-blooming locations, UPI recently reported.

AccuWeather meteorologists, led by Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert, released their annual spring allergy forecast this week, after digging into the data and exploring which areas of the country may experience an early or extended season as well as which areas could face higher-than-usual pollen counts.

Simply put, different allergens will begin to affect Americans at different points in the season, depending on the region and the weather conditions. AccuWeather forecasters have you covered on where in the U.S. allergy sufferers may need to stock up on tissues — and keep the windows closed at times this upcoming season.

Tree pollen forecast

The Southeast is already beginning to experience the first effects of allergy season. Trees around the Gulf Coast in particular, Reppert said, have begun releasing pollen.

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Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers

If you sneeze and cough during certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergies. However, occasional allergies arent something you just have to live with.

In many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer and ragweed in the late summer and fall. In tropical climates, however, grass may pollinate throughout a good portion of the year. Mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate early. A rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in mold, causing symptoms to last well into the fall.

The most common culprit for fall allergies is ragweed, a plant that grows wild almost everywhere, but especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Ragweed blooms and releases pollen from August to November. In many areas of the country, ragweed pollen levels are highest in early to mid-September.

Other plants that trigger fall allergies include:

  • Burning bush
  • Sagebrush and mugwort
  • Tumbleweed and Russian thistle

While the timing and severity of an allergy season vary across the country, the following climate factors also can influence how bad your symptoms might be:

Find expert care with an Allergist.

An allergist can pinpoint the cause and help you find relief.

Spring Is Here Which Means Spring Allergies Have Also Arrived Heres How To Stop Them Before They Start

Tips to Prevent Spring Allergies

Sure, spring can be beautiful, with trees and flowers in full bloom, but if you have allergies all those green leaves and flowers can also signal the start of one of the most challenging times of the year for you.

Allergies have been shown to affect patients quality of life, usually through increased fatigue, irritability and sometimes increased anxiety or depression, says Elizabeth Ference, MD, assistant professor of clinical otolaryngology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and an otolaryngologist at Keck Medicine of USC.

However, by following a few key pointers, you can limit the negative effects of allergies. Heres how to stop spring allergies also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever in their tracks.

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Monitor Daily Pollen Counts

On days with a high pollen count, its especially important for you to follow all the above steps. Tune into the morning weather report or sign up for an allergy alert app to receive daily notifications.

If you are still experiencing symptoms, ask your doctor if allergy shots might be right for you.

Learn more about the USC Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Center at Keck Medicine of USC. If you are in the Los Angeles area and are looking for exceptional care from some of the top physicians in the world, be sure to schedule an appointment by calling or by visiting keckmedicine.org/request-an-appointment.

What Plants Cause Allergies

The list of allergy triggers is long, very long. But some of the most common allergy triggers include grasses, pollen and mold. The number one contributor to pollen induced seasonal allergies however, is the ruthless ragweed. Ragweed is typically found on the east coast and Midwest regions of the United States, with a pollinating season spanning August to November . Pair this with a max pollination range of about 400 miles and you’re left with one formidable allergy-adversary.

Some other triggers can include:

  • Burning Bush
  • Cocklebur
  • Smoke from bonfires or indoor fireplaces
  • Pine Trees
  • Pets who have been outside
  • Insect bites

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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:

Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction in a person who’s sensitive to it.Antihistamine: A medication that prevents symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose.: Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissues to relieve symptoms such as swelling, congestion and mucus.Hay fever: An allergic reaction to pollen from ragweed, grasses and other plants whose pollen spreads on the wind.Neti pot: A device that looks like a small teapot, a neti pot is used for nasal irrigation. In other words, it’s used to flush out mucus and other debris from your nose and sinuses to improve breathing.Pollen and mold count: A measure of allergen amounts in the air. The counts are usually reported for mold spores and three types of pollen: grasses, trees, and weeds.

Allergies In Southern California

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Thanks to the pleasant Mediterranean climate of southern California, heavy jackets and snow pants do not dominate closet space. Instead, light sweaters and jeans keep residents and visitors comfortable year-round. Our mild winters and warm, dry summers also mean we do not get a winter reprieve from seasonal allergies. Something is always blooming here! The best months for allergy sufferers to breathe deeply are November through January, but even then, we sometimes see elevated pollen counts.

The New Year brings the start of elevated tree pollen levels, the intensity of which depends on rainfall amounts during the winter rainy season . If we have seen a relatively wet winter, more trees, grasses, and weeds will produce and disperse pollen during the year ahead. The trees that cause the most problems January through May are ash, eucalyptus, mulberry, olive, oak, sycamore, and walnut.

Late spring/early summer welcomes grass pollen to the forefront of the allergy forecast. The grasses that cause the most issues include bermuda, blue, oat, rye grasses. Frequent lawn mowing churns everything up and throws the pollen into the air.

Fall finds the kids going back to school and the start of weed pollen season. Weeds that produce and spread problematic pollen include California sagebush, pigweed, elm, and Russian thistle.

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