Coping With San Diego’s Year-Round Allergy Season
Five simple ways to prevent and relieve allergy symptoms
Five simple ways to prevent and relieve allergy symptoms
San Diego’s mild Mediterranean climate is one of the reasons people love living here — but it also means allergy season never truly ends.
With something blooming almost every month and indoor allergens thriving year‑round, many residents experience persistent symptoms that can feel like a never‑ending cold.
Understanding how environmental factors affect our immune systems is key to finding relief — both in the short term and long term.
“This region is unique. Theoretically, if the wind is blowing off the ocean, we should have very little pollen in the air,” says Ronald Simon, MD, an allergist at Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley and Scripps Clinic Encinitas. “But when we get a Santa Ana wind condition, we get hit with allergens from as far away as Nevada and Arizona. And after rains, the trees, weeds and grasses in our canyons wake up and send out pollen clouds.”
Identifying the specific triggers for your symptoms can help you avoid them. It can also help you choose the most effective treatments.
If you have allergies and don’t know the cause, talk to your doctor. They may recommend tests or treatments.
How common are allergies?
More than one quarter of adults in the United States have a seasonal allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. One in five children are also affected.
These allergies can show up in a variety of ways, often affecting the nose, eyes and respiratory system. Common allergy symptoms include:
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Watery eyes or itchy eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Scratchy throat
Allergy-induced asthma
Allergy-induced asthma — triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander — can cause airway inflammation and breathing difficulties if not properly managed.
Asthma affects the airways of the lungs and can lead to wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing, often at night or early in the morning.
During an asthma attack, the airways become inflamed, narrowed and filled with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. In severe cases, attacks can be life-threatening, underscoring the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment.
Is it an allergy or a cold?
To know if you have a cold or allergies, look at your symptoms and how often they happen. This can help identify the cause.
Colds are caused by viruses. Allergies are immune responses triggered by airborne allergens like pollen. Symptoms can overlap but key differences include:
- Allergies cause itching of the eyes, ears, nose and throat
- Colds can cause fevers; allergies do not
- Colds are contagious; allergies are not
- Colds take a few days to develop; allergy symptoms start soon after exposure
Indoor allergies in San Diego
In many parts of the country, house dust mites are seasonal, requiring humidity to reproduce. But in San Diego, they can thrive year-round, particularly between October and March.
Dust mites live in bedding, furniture and clothing, feeding on dead skin cells. Indoor allergens can be worsened by humidity and poor ventilation, even when doors and windows are closed.
Five tips to keep allergy symptoms under control
During peak allergen periods, many people can manage symptoms at home. Dr. Simon recommends the following strategies.
1. Avoid or minimize allergy triggers
- Keep windows closed during high pollen days and hours
- Bathe pets regularly if allergic to pet dander
- Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers
- Wear a mask, especially when cleaning or near outdoor irritants like dust or smoke.
- Clean your home frequently and reduce vegetation near windows
- Use HEPA air purifiers and maintain air conditioning filters
2. Use nasal and sinus rinses
Saline rinses help flush allergens from the nasal passages and can relieve ongoing nasal congestion. Use gentle flow devices, such as a neti pot or squeezed bottle.
The stream or mist of water should be gentle, not forceful. Some people who have had sinus surgery can use electric irrigators. However, Dr. Simon does not typically recommend them for routine allergy symptoms alone.
3. Take antihistamines
Antihistamines block histamine release in the immune system, helping relieve sneezing, itching and runny nose. Histamine is a substance your body makes during an allergic reaction.
Antihistamines can be taken as needed or daily during allergy season to control symptoms. Some are available in non-sedating forms.
4. Use decongestants (when needed)
For congestion caused by ongoing allergen exposure, Dr. Simon recommends choosing a decongestant rather than an antihistamine.
Decongestants primarily relieve congestion and swelling and may help reduce related symptoms. However, they can also cause side effects, including nervousness, rapid heartbeat, insomnia and in some cases, increased blood pressure.
5. Consider nasal steroid sprays
Corticosteroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase, help reduce inflammation and other symptoms and are among the most effective tools for managing moderate to severe allergy symptoms.
“I tell people to try it for a month,” Dr. Simon says. “In addition to relieving their allergy symptoms, it allows them to resume normal activities without discomfort. Many people come back and say, ‘Oh, this is how I’m supposed to feel! I can sleep and taste my food again and my energy is back!’”
When to see an allergist
See an allergist if your symptoms disrupt daily life or persist despite over-the-counter medications, especially if you experience ongoing congestion, sinus infections, cough or breathing difficulties.
An allergist can identify your specific triggers through testing and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your environment — an important step in a region like San Diego, where allergens are present year-round.
Treatment may include immunotherapy or allergy shots or medications to help control related asthma symptoms.
Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent symptoms from worsening and improve overall quality of life, so you can stay active, sleep better and breathe easier year-round.