Seasonal Allergies – What are they?

What are they?

Seasonal allergies can cause symptoms at specific times of the year if you have an allergy to certain pollen spores in the air. Also referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis or “hay fever”, seasonal allergies differ from perennial allergies, which can occur year-round. Symptoms of allergies include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. 

Southern CA common environmental allergens by location. 

Allergies In The Desert: Palm Springs, Lancaster, Joshua Tree

Don’t be fooled: allergy season still exists in the California desert regions! Beginning in late spring, areas such as Joshua Tree and Palm Springs can expect an uptick in allergens like willow, walnut, maple, oak, and ash. In early summer, Bermuda, bent, timothy, and orchard grasses typically affect allergy sufferers the most.  

Allergies Near Los Angeles

Allergies are really the star of the show in the beginning of spring and heading into fall. Some of the more common triggers in the area are sagebrush, cypress, bluegrass, ragweed, willow, oak, and maple. Common symptoms you may experience during these months are stuffy nose, itchy eyes, coughing, headaches, and sneezing. Medium to high pollen counts are typically the highest in the mornings and afternoons. Be sure to limit your exposure!

Allergies Near San Diego

This coastal city offers a bit more relief to our allergy sufferers due to its coastal location and climate, but if you are a bit more sensitive, summer, spring, and fall allergens can trigger reactions. Grasses like Bermuda, bent, timothy, and orchard are common triggers as well as tree varieties like willow, maple, oak, walnut, and ash.  

Treatments

• Monitor pollen and mold counts. Weather reports in newspapers and on radio and television often include this information during allergy seasons.
• Keep windows and doors shut at home and in your car during allergy season.
• To avoid pollen, know which pollens you are sensitive to and then check pollen counts. In spring and summer, during tree and grass pollen season, levels are highest in the evening. In late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, levels are highest in the morning.
  • A simple blood test or skin prick test (offered at Elevated Health) can help identify your triggers!
• Take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors.
• Wear a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other chores outdoors, and take appropriate medication beforehand.
• Treatments can include anti-histamines, steroids (nasal sprays and oral tablets) or SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY (Allergy Choices) now offered at Elevated Health! Ask us about this program. 

About the Author

Charlotte graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor’s in Nursing Science and began her career working in the operating room for five years. She then went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Nursing Science from California State University Long Beach in 2017. Throughout her career, Charlotte has gained experience in both private family practice and internal medicine.

Charlotte’s passion lies in patient education and disease prevention. She is committed to providing evidence-based care to all her patients and staying up-to-date on the latest treatments and care modalities. Building open, honest, and caring patient-provider relationships is her top priority. She actively participates in medical conferences and enjoys caring for patients throughout all stages of life, from childhood to adulthood. For the past two years, Charlotte has been a valued member of the team at Elevated Health, where she practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner.