How to Survive Peak Grass Pollen Season in the Central Valley

How to Survive Peak Grass Pollen Season in the Central Valley

Breathtaking pinks, oranges, blues, and purples fill the Fresno skies as you relax at Spano Park. It’s a stunning way to end the day, but grass allergies make it very hard to spend time outside. Tree pollen gave way to grass pollen, and it’s hard to avoid having grass around when there are so many lawns, parks, and trails.

You step outside, and you can’t stop sneezing. It builds to a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, and nasal congestion. You’re miserable and wonder if it’s even possible to leave the house anymore.

You don’t have to stay stuck inside. Make the most of the area’s farmers’ markets, outdoor spaces, and bountiful shopping. Join your friends or family for the week’s “Movies in the Park.” Enjoy the summer with our grass allergy survival guide.

Understanding Fresno’s Grass Pollen Season

A warmer climate is great for outdoor activities, but it does extend allergy season. That’s the one downfall to Fresno’s gorgeous climate. Many trees are already pollinating in February/March, and grass appears shortly after, with peak pollen counts occurring from March through September, depending on the type of grass.

Grasses grow well thanks to the wet, rainy winters and mild temperatures. As spring transitions into summer, valley winds and Delta breezes help transport the pollen around the terrain. But, there’s also the problem with the valley air being trapped by cooler mountain temperatures. Grass pollen tends to form high concentrations due to these thermal inversions.

The bustling agricultural industry also impacts summer allergies. Grass pollen mixes with the area’s agricultural dust and higher ozone levels, making it extremely difficult for people with allergies or asthma.

Protecting Yourself by Limiting Exposure

The best line of defense is to limit exposure to grass pollen. There are several ways to do this.

Avoid High Pollen Hours

From 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., pollen counts are high because these are the cooler hours of the day. Pollen settles closer to the ground when the air temperature is cooler. Try to limit outdoor activities to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., there’s a slight increase again. Avoid being outside during those hours. 

Some factors can change pollen counts each day. Rain helps lower counts, making the day after a rainstorm ideal for being outside. It’s best to monitor the Fresno AQI for your specific area and use it to guide your time outdoors.

Protective Attire

When you head outside, you can protect yourself by dressing for grass allergies. 

• Lightweight Jacket: Shields your shirt from collecting pollen.
• N95 Mask: Filters pollen from getting into your airways.
• Outdoor-Only Clothing: Leave outdoor clothing in the garage or at the mudroom entry, then head to the bathroom to shower off any pollen.
• Wrap-Around Sunglasses: Prevents pollen from getting into your eyes.
• Wide-Brimmed Hat: Keeps pollen from settling in your hair.

Make Your Home an Allergen-Free Zone

Keeping pollen from building up in your home is also important. You can do this by:

• Changing clothes as soon as possible when coming in from outside.
• Closing windows.
• Dusting regularly.
• Hiring someone to mow your yard until pollen counts are lower.
• Replacing carpet with wood floors the next time you renovate.
• Running a room purifier with a HEPA filter all day, especially in the rooms you spend the most time in.
• Showering at night so that you don’t transfer pollen to your pillow and bedding.
• Upgrading HVAC filters to the highest allowable MERV rating. MERV 13 is ideal, but you need to check with your HVAC technician to see what your system can handle.
• Using pet-friendly wipes to remove pollen from your outdoor pets.
• Vacuuming carpets with a HEPA-filter vacuum a few times each week.
• Washing bed linens frequently during peak grass allergy season.

Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription Allergy Meds

When it comes to allergy medications, you have over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Medications you purchase from local stores or over-the-counter from your pharmacist include:

• Allergy Eye Drops: Get quick relief from itchy, red, watery eyes. Use them as needed.
• Intranasal Corticosteroid Sprays (such as Flonase): Use daily to reduce inflammation and nasal congestion. You have to be consistent. The medication won’t work effectively if you’re not using it as directed.
• Oral Antihistamines (Like Claritin or Benadryl): Take these as needed to reduce the severity of systemic symptoms such as itching, red eyes, and sneezing. Because some formulas can make you drowsy, you shouldn’t take them when driving or operating machinery.
• OTC Decongestant Nasal Sprays like Afrin: This nasal spray works instantly by shrinking blood vessels in the nasal passage. They’re not meant for long-term use. If you use them longer than is recommended, you risk rebound congestion.

Prescription Allergy Medications

Prescription allergy medications are stronger and targeted to your specific symptoms. This makes them effective. They often have fewer side effects, too.

You have to go to a doctor for a prescription. If you ask for a referral to an allergist in Fresno, you’ll work with a specialist who runs tests and comes up with a specific allergy action plan that eases your symptoms and even helps retrain your immune system to stop overreacting to seasonal grass pollen.

When to See a Fresno Allergist

If you’re struggling to function because your allergies are severe, it’s time to talk to a doctor. When allergies impact your daily life or make it hard to breathe, make an appointment. You don’t want to develop allergic asthma. 

Working with Dr. Sabry at Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center provides you with the insight you need to start feeling better when allergy season hits. With precise testing to identify your specific allergen, you have the information needed to develop effective treatments.

Dr. Sabry specializes in immunotherapy. Instead of relying on medications, small doses of pollen are injected into your skin (allergy shots) or placed under your tongue (sublingual). These small doses retrain your immune system to react correctly. They can take time, but once they’re done, you’re allergy-free.

Make an appointment with Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center now. You’ll be on the path towards breathing easier all summer and enjoying Fresno’s ample outdoor spaces.