There’s no real “weather” in California, right? So why is it that when summer rolls around, your allergies flare up, worse than ever? Is it all in your head, or do sunny days in California’s summers bring more pollen and allergens than sunny days in mid-December?
Los Angeles doesn’t make the list of the 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies in the United States. In fact, no California city does. But your symptoms still make summer challenging for you:
When you learn that pollutants can intensify allergies, it begins to make sense. Sometimes it seems as though you can still get a whiff of smoke from the most recent wildfires. And then there’s the constant exhaust fumes from highways and factories.
Allergy expert Catherine Fuller, MD, knows that allergies can plague you year round. But summer can be extra challenging, even in the relatively low-pollen West Los Angeles, California, neighborhood where you find our office.
So, why do your allergies get worse in summer, and what can you do for relief? Here’s a brief guide that can help you enjoy your extra-sunny days.
Grass is notorious for releasing pollen. If you spend a lot of time in parks or live with a grass lawn, take extra care not to sit directly on the grass. Avoid newly mown areas, too.
Male trees produce windborne pollen and female trees don’t. How do you tell a male from a female tree? No, you don’t look between its branches. You simply ask: Does it bear fruit, seeds, or nuts?
Female trees produce fruit, seeds, or nuts. And, yes, avocado is a fruit. Female trees spread their pollen via small animals and insects. Male trees rely on the wind to spread their pollen, straight into your nasal cavities and all over your clothes.
If you’re about to do some landscaping, consider planting fruit and nut trees instead of non-food-bearing trees. You may have more squirrels and chipmunks, but you might not need to buy so many facial tissues.
When you've been out hiking, exploring beaches, or enjoying performances in the park, you’re more likely to track pollen and other allergens into your indoor space. There, they lodge in carpets, upholstery, curtains, and bedding to keep you sneezing whether you’re in or out.
You can control your indoor environment by leaving all shoes outside your door (if allowed in your community) or just inside it.
Also consider wearing outer garments that you can remove before you move around inside your home. When it’s hot, a light long-sleeved shirt helps keep you cooler when outdoors because it keeps the sun off your skin. It also allows air (filtered by the fabric) to circulate on your body.
Keep your windows closed and the air conditioning running 24-7. You might also invest in a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter. Vacuum every day, if you can. Wash bedding in hot water at least once a week.
You can combat pollen, ragweed, and other summer allergens by taking preventive steps. In addition to vacuuming your house frequently, leaving shoes outdoors, and cleaning bedding often, make a habit of taking your allergy medication before symptoms start.
You can use a neti pot to rinse your sinus cavities and flush out allergens that make it past the particle-trapping cilia in your nose. Be sure to use sterilized or distilled water and choose the right saline. You can find guidance on nasal irrigation on this US Food and Drug Administration website.
Finally, consider putting an end to your misery once and for all — no matter the season — with allergy testing and immunotherapy. Allergy testing identifies all of your allergens so you can plan to avoid them or minimize exposure whenever possible.
Immunotherapy exposes you to minute amounts of your allergens, gradually increasing them over time. This allows your body to build up tolerance so that it doesn’t launch a full-on immune attack every time it encounters the allergens. Gradually, the allergen no longer triggers symptoms.
Do you want relief from summer allergies? Contact Catherine Fuller, MD, today for allergy testing, medications, or immunotherapy.
