Los Angeles Allergy Tracker: Brace For Pollen And Sneezing (2024)

FAQs

How do you stop sneezing during pollen season? ›

Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert). Corticosteroid nasal sprays. These medications improve nasal symptoms.

Because California has milder winters than other states in the USA, the pollen season starts earlier. The months that register a higher pollen count are April, May and September.

Visit the National Allergy Bureau at AAAAI.org/nab for pollen count information. Visit airnow.gov for Environmental Protection Agency air quality alerts. Both websites also have apps available for smartphones and tablets.

In Los Angeles, April, May, and September are typically the months when seasonal allergies are at their peak. It's during these months that pollen counts are high, especially during the day. By late October or November, the allergy season usually comes to an end, giving residents a break from their seasonal allergies.

Be sure you're drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated during allergy season. "Studies have shown that when you're dehydrated your body produces higher histamine levels and that drives allergies," Ogden said.

As we know, Northern California can feel the effects of allergies year-round, but spring is typically the worst for these cities. March through June is when allergy sufferers can expect heightened symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, congestion, and a runny nose.

Warmer temperatures, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and increased precipitation can all contribute to plants' growing bigger and producing more pollen over longer periods of time, Dr. Anderegg said.

Weed, grass, oilseed rape, nettle and plantain all begin their season by the end of April. This month tends to have the highest pollen counts. Lime and dock pollen make an entrance and can trigger hay fever, while pine and oilseed rape both peak in May.

What time of day is pollen worst? ›

Pollen counts usually rise in the morning, and reach their peak by midday or early afternoon. This is the time of day that allergies are often the worst, since there is a high concentration of pollen in the air.

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The risk of tree pollen symptoms is moderate.

The months that are typically worse for allergies vary depending on the location and specific allergens involved. In general, spring and fall tend to be the peak seasons for allergies in many regions of the United States. During spring, especially from March through May, tree pollen is a common trigger for allergies.

The most common allergen in LA is pollen – particularly from grasses, trees, and weeds. Due to the city's climate and extended growing season, plants can produce and release pollen almost year-round, leading to prolonged allergen exposure.

And allergists know why pollen makes people sneeze: the body's immune system is releasing a lot of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and eosinophils, in response to the invading pollen proteins.

A steroid nasal spray tends to be the most effective treatment when symptoms are more severe. It can also be used in addition to antihistamines if symptoms are not fully controlled by either alone. You need to use the spray each day to keep symptoms away.

Nonprescription (over the counter) fluticasone nasal spray is used to relieve symptoms of rhinitis such as sneezing and a runny, stuffy, or itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes caused by hay fever or other allergies (caused by an allergy to pollen, mold, dust, or pets).