Bay Area allergy season could be severe due to historic rainfall - San Francisco Chronicle

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The high moisture levels can increase mold exposure and disperse pollen into the air, experts say, leading to issues for people who are allergic to grass, weeds, dust and mold. The rain could also break down pollen particles into smaller particles, which can travel farther into small airways in the nose and cause inflammation, said Dr. Michele Pham, an allergist and immunologist at UCSF.

The plentiful precipitation is also fueling the growth of plants and grasses, Pham noted.

“There’s been beautiful reports of super blooms and a lot of flowers coming out, and so with those flowers and trees, there’ll be more pollen production as well,” she said.

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Grasses in the Bay Area typically begin pollinating in late spring and continue through the summer, while trees pollinate from December through May, health experts say.

This spring, Bay Area allergy sufferers could experience more severe and persistent symptoms “especially given all the rains that we’ve had over the last couple of months,” Pham said.

She said the rain has caused water damage to the homes of some of her patients, increasing mold exposure.

So far this spring, pollen counts have not been high, but as the weather gets warmer, “it’s really going to encourage the plant pollination,” said Dr. Andrew Hope, an allergist and immunologist at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center.

“Starting very soon we may see a strong pollen season,” he said.

Health experts say allergy seasons have worsened over the years because of climate change. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that compared with 1990, the pollen season is starting 20 days earlier, is 10 days longer and has 21% more pollen.

Visitors walk on a hilltop over a field of blooming flowers near the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Monday in Lancaster. Allergy sufferers could experience more severe and persistent symptoms this spring after record-setting winter rainfall in California, according to experts.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Here is what people can do to help cope with allergies this year, according to experts:

Reduce exposure to allergens

While it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid exposure to pollen, health experts say, there are practical ways to help reduce allergy symptoms. They include closing the windows in your home or car, staying indoors when possible or wearing a face mask while outside — especially during windy days or in the early morning when pollen counts are the highest.

“I know we’re all really tired of wearing masks at this point, but it can really help block exposure to pollen if you’re going to be gardening or hiking or something like that,” Hope said.

Pham said wearing hats or sunglasses can also help keep pollen from falling onto your face and eyes. People should also change out of their outdoor clothes when entering the home and keep them near the door, away from the bedroom.

Running a HEPA filter air purification system can also help filter out pollen traveling into a home.

Take medication

Another effective option for treating symptoms is allergy medication, some of which can be found over the counter, experts say. Those include nasal sprays and antihistamines such as Claritin and Zyrtec.

“With the nasal sprays you really need to start them early and be consistent for them to help,” said Pham, adding that it takes about five to seven days for them to start working.

Reach Jessica Flores: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @jesssmflores

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