Southwest Florida allergy season: a year-round guide
Up north, allergy season has a start and an end. In Southwest Florida, something is almost always blooming. Here's a rough guide to what's in the air around Naples through the year.
Winter to spring (roughly December to May): trees
Tree pollen is the big one, peaking from late winter into spring. Common culprits include:
- Oak, a major allergen and abundant across Florida
- Pine, which coats cars in yellow dust (though pine pollen is a less common allergy trigger than its visibility suggests)
- Bayberry (wax myrtle), cypress, maple and others
- Australian pine and melaleuca, non-native trees common in South Florida
Spring to fall: grasses
Thanks to the long growing season, grass pollen can be around for much of the year, especially Bahia and Bermuda grass, both common in Florida lawns. Mowing stirs it up.
Late summer to fall: weeds
Ragweed and other weeds release pollen from late summer into fall.
Year-round: mold and dust mites
Heat and humidity make Florida ideal for mold and dust mites, which can trigger symptoms in any month. See Humidity, mold and indoor air in Florida homes.
Common symptoms
Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes and throat, and coughing. For people with asthma, allergies are a frequent trigger for flare-ups.
Ways to cut your exposure
- Check the daily pollen count and plan outdoor time when it's lower.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days and run the air conditioning.
- Use a good filter in your AC system and change it regularly.
- Shower and change clothes after time outdoors.
- Wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
- Wear a mask when mowing or doing yard work.
Treatment
Over-the-counter antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and saline rinses help many people. If symptoms are persistent or affect your sleep or breathing, see your doctor or an allergist. Allergy testing can pinpoint your triggers, and allergy shots or tablets are options for some people.
Allergies and HBOT
A stuffy nose makes it much harder to equalize your ears in a hyperbaric chamber. If your allergies are flaring, reschedule your session. See Ear pressure in the chamber.