Cluttered nose? A doctor says that allergy seasons in the Bay Area are lengthening

If you have the impression that your runny nose and red eyes caused by an allergy worsen each year – and last longer – you can not imagine anything, according to a San Francisco-based allergist.

"This season has definitely been bad," says Opal Gupta, an allergist in San Francisco. "People say that they have never had allergies before or that they only have mild symptoms and that no medication works."

This is not an isolated case in Gupta practice. She sees the same complaints in patients "several times a day".

Seasonal allergies can be caused by a multitude of causes, which vary from one person to another and fluctuate with the seasons. In spring, when trees and flowers bloom en masse, the amount of pollen increases, triggering sneezing and coughing in people with allergies. The higher the swirling pollen in the air, the worse the allergic reactions.

Gupta says pollen counts have been particularly high this year, which she attributes to a rainy winter season.

"Usually, after the rainy season, trees pollinate better, causing an increase in the number of pollen," she said.

She hopes that the allergy season will not end before the end of the year, although people with allergies will experience different reactions depending on the pollen that triggers their symptoms. Trees, for example, release pollen early in the season, while grass and weeds bloom later. People with allergies to all three types of flora may have symptoms throughout the year.

In general, Gupta says she has noticed that the allergy season lasts longer and affects patients more intensely. Scientists believe that global warming is important, as are increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere related to climate change.

A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health found that the number of airborne pollens increased and persisted longer over the last 20 years. The researchers found that climate change seemed to cause plants to bloom earlier in the season. In addition, researchers have discovered that carbon dioxide levels induce plants to produce pollen.

The bottom line for Gupta: "I feel it will be a long year for people with allergies."

Gupta made the following recommendations for people with allergies:

• Rather than recommending people to stay indoors, Gupta recommends that patients rinse their sinuses and take a shower after an outdoor outing. Pollen can stick to clothing and hair, so it is best to take steps to limit the amount of irritant you catch in your home.
• First line allergy treatments can be bought over the counter. Antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays may be particularly useful.
• If over-the-counter allergy treatments do not work, make an appointment with an allergist. They may prescribe more powerful medications or administer allergy shots, which help to alter the patient's response to the allergen.

Read Michelle Robertson latest stories and send him some news tips to michelle.robertson @sfgate.com.

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