Seasonal Allergy Shots Specialist in Coral Gables and Palmetto Bay, FL

Allergy season is usually most severe in the spring, around the first week of May. That’s because seasonal allergies — called allergic rhinitis or hay fever — commonly occur due to pollen from trees and grass, which are most prevalent in the spring and early summer.

Winter and Early Spring:

For areas that rarely if ever see a frost, the start of the year is the start of the allergy season. As soon as days start to lengthen a bit, grass begins to grow and releases pollen to spread. By February, the grass is flowering in the Deep South and parts of the Carolinas across the Texas and New Mexico valleys and into central California, with tree pollens joining the pollen party as well.

The grass pollen season expands by February and March, with trees likely to cause allergic reactions by early April. Before Easter, residents can expect to see that familiar yellow powder pollen coating everything.

Late Spring and Early Summer:

The season for tree pollen starts to come to an end across the extreme southern tier by the end of April and May, but it is just getting started further north. Tree pollen is the primary allergen across the northern Plains, Great Lakes and New England during the month of May. Grasses are typically just starting to create pollen during this time in the north, so residents may be able to catch a break. By Memorial Day, expect to see pollen flying in the air and have a tissue on hand for those sneezes.

The hot summer days heat up the grasses, making the pollen more dormant, or sending it into a survival-type of sleep. However, the dormant grasses can allow the wind to kick up dirt and fields, leading to a peak in the dust season.

Late Summer and Fall:

A fresh allergen, ragweed, is starting to make its way across the U.S. by the middle of summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, ragweed, which is actually a flowering plant found near river banks, is the leading cause of allergies, with three-fourths of all sufferers allergic to it.

Ragweed and pollen season come to an end when the first frosts of fall start to occure. As nighttime temperatures drop into the 20s, the ragweed plant is unable to survive the chilly conditions.

Cold symptoms generally last 7 to 10 days, whereas allergy symptoms can last longer if continually exposed to the allergen. Once the allergen is eliminated, allergy symptoms will start to subside.

If the pollen count is high, keep the windows and doors closed to protect your indoor air. You can also install a HEPA filter on your air-conditioning system and a flat or panel filter on your furnace. When you leave your home and return, you bring tiny allergens from the outside world with you. After being outside, your clothes and skin are covered with particles from everywhere you visited throughout the day. Get rid of allergens by taking a shower and changing your clothes.

Yes, we do. If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms due to seasonal allergies or are unsure of the cause of your reactions, please contact our office for more information and to get in touch with our allergist at Coral Gables, FL and Palmetto Bay, FL. We serve patients from Coral Gables FL, Palmetto Bay FL, Westchester FL, Brownsville FL, Kendall FL, Pinecrest FL, Richmond West FL, and Goulds FL.