Solutions for Seaside Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Get Relief from Seasonal Allergies in Melbourne, Florida

When is allergy season in Florida? What can you do to get ahead of your seasonal allergies this year? Dr. Pavana Beerelli is a board-certified seasonal allergy specialist in Melbourne, Florida that can help you and your children live comfortably throughout allergy season in Florida. Contact us today to schedule your visit!

“I have been a patient of Dr. Beerelli’s for about three years now. She has made a huge difference in my allergies — no more sinus infections or itchy eyes. Super nice, too.”

– Michelle C, July 2018

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Nasal allergy specialist Dr. Pavana Beerelli of Melbourne Allergy & Asthma review badges and affiliations

About Seasonal Allergies

When is Allergy Season?

Seasonal Allergy Rankings

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal Allergy Treatment

When is Allergy Season in Florida?

Depending on what you’re allergic to, your seasonal allergies may peak in the spring, in the fall, or affect you year-round. Because of the warm climate, allergy season in Florida is especially long, with only a brief period of relief in December when the weather cools and pollination stops.

Little girl with seasonal allergies during allergy season in Florida

Spring Allergy Season

Spring allergy season in Florida typically starts in late December and extends into early summer. Pollinating trees usually mark the start of spring allergy season and continue releasing pollen well into May. Common culprits of seasonal allergies in Florida include elm trees, bayberry trees, bluejack oaks, maple trees, pine trees, and river birch trees. A number of other less common trees are also responsible for seasonal allergies in Florida, including aspen, alder, ash, birch, beech, box elder, cottonwood, mountain elder, mulberry, olive, poplar, pecan, willow, cedar, hickory, walnut, and ash trees.

The Florida spring allergy season is extended by pollinating grass, which typically starts in April and ends in October, well into the fall season.

Fall Allergy Season

Fall allergy season starts with the bloom of ragweed towards the end of summer. Ragweed is prevalent in Florida, and is the primary cause of seasonal allergies from late August through the first frost of early winter. Most individuals that experience allergy symptoms in the fall are allergic to ragweed. Other allergenic plants that trigger fall allergies include burning bush, cocklebur, lamb’s-quarters, mugwort, pigweed, russian thistle, sagebrush, and tumbleweed.

Seasonal Allergy Variation

Several factors can influence the onset, duration, and severity of seasonal allergy symptoms.

Mold levels can peak during specific weather patterns, sometimes imitating seasonal allergies. Mold grows quickly during rainy periods, and also during hot and humid periods.
Pollen levels are usually highest in the morning, and are amplified by wind and warm weather.
A rainy season can promote rapid plant growth and high pollen levels that persist further into the fall.

Seasonal Allergies in Melbourne, Florida

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases its annual Allergy Capitals™ report every year, which collects data on the 100 most-populated metropolitan areas of the US and identifies which cities are the most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. The city ranks are calculated based on factors such as seasonal pollen scores, allergy medication use per patient, and number of board certified allergy specialists per patient, among others.

Woman experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms during allergy season in Florida

Are Allergies Bad in Melbourne, Florida?

Melbourne, Florida isn’t ranked in the Allergy Capitals report, but we can look at nearby Orlando to get a sense of how bad seasonal allergies are in Melbourne.

For spring allergies, Orlando was ranked as the 38th most challenging place to live in 2021. In 2020, Orlando was ranked 31st. In 2018, it ranked 60th. In 2016, Orlando ranked 87th.

For fall allergies, Orlando was ranked as the 38th most challenging place to live in 2021. In 2020, Orlando was ranked 32nd. In 2018, it ranked 63rd. In 2016, Orlando ranked 81st.

Overall, Orlando was ranked as the 38th most challenging place to live with allergies out of the US’s 100 most-populated metropolitan areas in 2021.

Orlando AAFA Annual Allergy Capital Ranking

The table below shows overall, spring, and fall allergy season rankings for Orlando over recent years.

Year	Season	Rank Out of 100
2021	Overall	38
2020	Overall	31
2021	Spring	38
2020	Spring	31
2018	Spring	60
2016	Spring	87
2021	Fall	38
2020	Fall	32
2018	Fall	63
2016	Fall	81

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergies, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever, cause symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and cough. Your symptoms may vary depending on what you’re allergic to, and could could include any of the following:

Coughing
Frequent sneezing
Wheezing
Runny nose
Congestion
Sinus pressure
Scratchy throat
Excess saliva
Itchy, stinging, watery eyes
Fatigue
Trouble Sleeping
Asthma symptoms

Dandelion seeds causing seasonal allergies during allergy season in Melbourne, FL

Seasonal Allergy Diagnosis

Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to be relatively consistent from allergen to allergen. In other words, an allergy to oak tree pollen can look a lot like a ragweed allergy, but you’re not necessarily allergic to both if you’re allergic to one of them. Understanding exactly what you’re allergic to can make it much easier to navigate seasonal allergies in Florida and know what you should (and should not!) be avoiding. This is where allergy testing comes in. Dr. Beerelli can help you determine if your symptoms are caused by allergies and pinpoint what you’re allergic to so you can find relief.

Seasonal allergy diagnosis starts with a thorough medical history, and usually involves skin or blood tests to determine your specific allergic triggers.

Seasonal Allergy Treatment

Once you’re aware of what’s causing your allergies, there are steps you can take to minimize exposure to allergens, effectively manage allergic reactions if they occur, and prevent certain allergic reactions altogether.

Limit Your Exposure to Airborne Allergens

These tips can help you minimize your exposure to airborne allergens during allergy season:

Check your local pollen counts whenever you check the weather
Limit outdoor activities during times of high pollen counts
Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat to reduce pollen exposure when outdoors
Change clothes as soon as you get home if you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors

When you visit us at Melbourne Allergy & Asthma, Dr. Beerelli will have additional recommendations for you based on your unique case.

Allergy-Proof Your Home

These tips can help you minimize exposure to allergens in your home:

Keep windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons
Steam clean carpets or remove carpets altogether
Avoid air drying laundry outside
Keep pets out of the bedroom to reduce pet dander in your bedding
Vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust in your home
Wash your bed linens and pillowcases in hot water and detergent frequently to reduce allergens
Use dust mite proof covers for pillows, comforters, duvets, mattresses and box springs
Men should shave frequently to prevent pollen from gathering in their facial hair

Medications for Seasonal Allergies

There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Be sure to discuss any medications with your allergist prior to using them. Medications to relieve seasonal allergic rhinitis, for example, are most effective if you start taking them before pollen is in the air, prior to allergy symptoms developing.

Medications include:

Antihistamines
Decongestants
Nasal corticosteroids (nasal spray)
Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Cromolyn sodium

Consider Allergy Shots

Allergy shots are also an option if you’re looking for long-term, ongoing symptom relief from seasonal allergies.

We hope you’ve found this information helpful. Get in touch with us at Melbourne Allergy & Asthma to learn more about seasonal allergies and how to most effectively manage them! We’re looking forward to your visit.

References

[1] American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: https://acaai.org/
[2] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://www.aafa.org/
[3] Allergy Capitals Report: https://www.aafa.org/allergy-capitals/

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