Florida, also known as “the Sunshine State,” offers beautiful weather and much to explore for both locals and vacationers. However, the warm temperatures and steady rain keep mold and other allergens abundant year-round.
Whether you live or vacation in Florida, you may wonder when allergy season is. While it can last all year, there are some peak seasons.
Keep reading to discover when allergy season is, the cause of your symptoms and how to manage them.
What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, occur when your immune system reacts to airborne allergens like pollen, mistaking them for harmful invaders and causing your body to have an allergic reaction.
Because allergies are often mistaken for the common cold, it’s important to know the differences so you can get the care you need. Allergic reactions may include:
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Sinus congestion
- Sneezing
- Tiredness
- Watery eyes
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important that you contact primary care services for the lasting relief you need.
What Causes Allergies in Florida?
Since Florida has a subtropical climate, most flowers, grasses, weeds and trees grow year-round, resulting in potential allergens in the air for most of the year. Common outdoor allergens in Florida include:
- Air pollutants
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Weed pollen
The most common indoor allergens include:
- Dirty air conditioning vents and filters
- Dust
- Pet dander
If you believe you’re having a serious allergic reaction, it’s important that you call 911 immediately. For mild reactions, visit your primary care provider.
Allergy Season in Florida
Allergy season in Florida typically lasts all year. However, there are peak seasons where some may experience more symptoms. Let’s take a look at each.
Spring Allergies (February to May)
It’s normal for Floridians to experience spring allergies. During this time of year, the most prominent allergen is tree pollen. The pollen count typically rises in late February, when hickory, cedar, pine and oak trees release pollen.
April and May are considered the peak pollen season in Florida because, in addition to tree pollen in the air, flowers, weeds and grasses release their seeds and spores. That causes significantly higher pollen levels.
Summer Allergies (June to August)
As summer approaches, grass pollen, including southern grasses like Rye and Bermuda, becomes the dominant allergen. These months are also when ragweed and dust mites make more of an appearance, resulting in added air pollutants.
While rain can help lower the amount of pollen in the air, heavy downpours, like summer thunderstorms, can stir up more pollen and mold spores.
Fall Allergies (September to November)
Another common allergy season in Florida is fall. During this time of year, ragweed is at its highest. Cooler weather can also cause mold to grow, potentially adding more spores to the air we breathe.
While the fall season ranges from September to November, it's typically extended to December because of Florida’s warm climate.
Winter Allergies (December to January)
Typically, the winter months don’t cause concern regarding allergies. However, because of Florida’s year-round warmer weather, not all trees, grasses, weeds and flowers become dormant, leading to potential pollen in the winter air.
As we stay bundled up indoors during these colder months with our windows and doors closed, we’re exposed to more mold and dust mites.
Tips for Managing Allergies in Florida
We know seasonal allergies can affect many people all year long. The good news is we have expert tips for how you can best prepare for them:
- Avoid peak allergen times: Stay indoors during high pollen periods, especially in the mornings.
- Check the pollen forecast: Use pollen trackers to monitor current pollen counts. If the pollen count is high, limit outdoor activities.
- Keep indoor air clean: Use air purifiers and vacuums with HEPA filters and clean your HVAC filters once or twice a year.
- Over-the-counter allergy treatment: If your seasonal allergies worsen at certain times of the year, consider taking over-the-counter allergy medications a few months before to allow them to build up in your system.
- Stay hydrated: This helps to reduce the severity of your symptoms.
- Talk to your primary care doctor: For some people, seasonal allergies can be severe and over-the-counter allergy medications may not be enough. In this case, you should schedule an appointment with your AdventHealth Primary Care+ physician, who can conduct tests to determine what you’re allergic to and prescribe medications and other advice to help ease symptoms.
- Try nasal sprays: Talk to your doctor about whether a steroid, antihistamine or decongestant nasal spray is a viable treatment option for your allergy symptoms.
- Wash it off: When coming inside after being outdoors, make sure to remove your clothing to be washed and take a shower to keep pollen from entering your home.
- Wear a face mask: If you must be outside when pollen is high, wear a face mask to help protect your nasal passages.
Allergy season can last all year in Florida, but certain months tend to be worse than others. That’s why it’s important to know the peak months and to be diligent in your preparations to help keep allergy symptoms at bay.
Your Partner in Health
At AdventHealth, we care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. If you need help managing your seasonal allergies in Florida, visit us here to make an appointment with your AdventHealth Primary Care+ doctor. You deserve to feel whole all year long.
