Welcome To Allergy Season In Sacramento
Dealing with allergies in the “City of Trees”
By Marilyn Nelson on March 21, 2023
It’s that time of year when we ask ourselves is it a cold or allergies? The itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and post-nasal drip typically begin when the pollen count from all of our beautiful trees explodes from March to June. But, according to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Sacramento is actually considered one of the better cities in America for allergy sufferers. I’m as surprised as you are.
The 5 worst cities for seasonal allergies are:
- Wichita
- Dallas
- Scranton
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
The rankings are based on scores for pollen count, over-the-counter medication use and the number of allergy specialists. You can see the full report HERE.
Surprisingly, Sacramento is way down at on the list at #74 out of 100, putting it in the “better than average” category.
If you’re new to Sacramento, prepare yourself for TWO allergy seasons. The first wave starts in the spring and lasts until it gets really hot outside. The pollen count goes down in the summer heat. However, we get hit again when it gets cooler and the pollen comes back. So your allergies may flare up in the spring AND fall.
Here are few tips for surviving allergy season:
- Keep the windows and doors shut at home and in your vehicle. Use your air conditioner.
- Shower when you come in from being outside to wash off the pollen from your body hair.
- Start taking over-the-counter allergy medicine early. It may take a couple of weeks to work effectively – especially nasal sprays.
- If you can’t control your allergies on your own, consider seeing a doctor for a treatment plan or shots.
