Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Louisiana Allergies in 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyLouisiana is a diverse state known for its food, music, culture, and unique wilderness. Unfortunately, it’s also known for being one of the worst places for people with allergies. The winters don’t get very cold, which means allergy season can start sooner and last longer than in many other parts of the country. Louisiana also has a variety of highly allergenic trees. All of these factors make a perfect storm for bad allergies.
If you’re a Louisiana resident, what can you do to combat these miserable allergy seasons? How can you limit your exposure and reduce your symptoms?
Wyndly can help. Wyndly can provide personalized allergy treatment plans for your Louisiana allergies, helping you find long-term relief from your symptoms. Sign up today for a consultation with one of our doctors, or read on to learn more about Louisiana allergy season.
When Is Louisiana Allergy Season?
The Louisiana allergy season can often last a long time, particularly the spring allergy season. Spring allergies can start as early as February if weather conditions are right, and they can last well into May. Some trees may produce pollen even longer. Fall allergies can also last into November due to the mild climate.
Allergens by Season
In Louisiana, allergies will be at their worst during spring, summer, and fall. The mild winters mean that allergy season can start fairly early too. Here are the allergies broken down by season.
Summer
Summer is when grass allergies are at their worst in Louisiana. Grass allergies can start in May and will usually linger until July. Common grass allergies include ryegrass and Bermuda, bent, fescue, timothy, corn, and orchard grasses.
Fall
Fall weed allergies usually start in late August and go well into November. In Louisiana, the main triggers for weed allergies include ragweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle, and marsh elder.
Winter
Winter allergies do provide some relief in Louisiana, though it’s usually short-lived. Trees can start pollinating early in February due to the mild climate.
Spring
Spring is probably the worst allergy season for Louisiana residents. It tends to begin in February and go until the early summer months. The main trees that set off allergies include elm, cedar, oak, cypress, willow, ash, mulberry, pecan, and maple trees.
Common Allergens
Louisiana has a wide variety of very allergenic trees. Grass and weed allergies are common allergy culprits as well. For indoor allergies, mold and dust mites can be especially problematic due to Louisiana’s high humidity and heat.
Common Symptoms
Louisiana residents can expect the following allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Hives
- Aggravated asthma symptoms
As always, reactions will vary from person to person, but in general, allergies will cause one or more of these symptoms to occur.
Allergens Around the State
There are a variety of different allergens found throughout the state of Louisiana. While many areas will have similar allergies to others, some places can have allergens specific to that region. Let’s look at some common allergens around the state.
Shreveport/Alexandria/Monroe/Ruston
In the Shreveport, Alexandria, Monroe, and Ruston areas, spring tree allergens include oak, hickory, ash, willow, walnut, and maple pollen. In summer, grass allergies can be attributed to ryegrass and Bermuda, bent, timothy, fescue, and orchard grasses. In fall, weed allergies are usually from ragweed, marsh elder, and pigweed.
Lake Charles/Jennings/Houma
In the Lake Charles, Jennings, and Houma areas, spring allergy triggers include oak, maple, pecan, hickory, mulberry, and ash trees. Summer allergies are often in response to ryegrass and Bermuda and bent grasses. In fall, the common weed allergies are ragweed and pigweed.
Monroe/Lafayette/Baton Rouge/New Orleans
In the Monroe, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans areas, spring allergies are usually due to pollen from cedar, ash, maple, oak, mulberry, pecan, and hickory trees. Summer grass allergies may be from Bermuda, bent, timothy, and orchard grasses. Fall weed allergens include ragweed, pigweed, and marsh elder.
Testing and Diagnosis
It’s not uncommon for allergy sufferers to have trouble finding the source of their allergy symptoms. Since allergy seasons can often overlap, it can be hard to identify which specific pollen is causing your symptoms. It’s also possible that you’re dealing with year-round indoor allergies and attributing them to seasonal allergies. The best way to find out is with an allergy test from Wyndly. Wyndly provides you with a convenient at-home allergy test that just requires a quick prick of the finger. Order your at-home allergy test from Wyndly today.
Let’s take a look at how different allergy testing options work.
Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and discomfort by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Get Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick test to provide us with a blood sample and mail it back when you’re done.
- Receive your personalized treatment plan. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through your personalized treatment plan.
Treatment and Remedies
Fortunately, allergies are very manageable and can even be treated using the right methods. The following are some options for remedies and treatments.
Limiting Exposure
If you’re trying to manage your allergy symptoms, limiting your exposure to your primary allergens is a good place to start.
- Watch the pollen count: When pollen levels are high, it’s a good idea to stay inside as much as possible. You can check the pollen count in your local area using an app or a website.
- Shower more frequently: When you’ve been outside during allergy season, it’s easy to get pollen on your skin and in your hair. Shower to rinse off if you’ve been outside for a while. If a shower isn’t possible, it’s a good idea to wash your hands and face well at the very least.
- Cut grass, pull weeds, and trim trees: If you want to reduce plant pollen around your home, cutting grass, pulling weeds, and trimming tree branches can help reduce the amount of pollen they produce.
- Take shoes off: When you get home, be sure to take off your shoes to avoid tracking pollen in.
- Keep your house clean: Vacuuming once per week with a HEPA filter vacuum and dusting hard surfaces with a wet rag can help reduce pollen in your home.
- Keep windows closed: During pollen season, you should keep your windows closed to prevent pollen from floating in easily. It’s also a good idea to install a HEPA filter on your A/C.
Medications
When limiting your exposure isn’t providing enough relief, you may consider over-the-counter allergy medications. These widely available options are effective at providing short-term relief for most people. You can try antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, or decongestants.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
If you’re hoping for long-term treatment for your allergy symptoms, OTC allergy medications and limiting exposure won’t be the answer. Instead, you should consider sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy teaches your immune system to ignore the allergens that cause your allergies instead of reacting with symptoms. This works by introducing the substance in small, gradually increasing doses that are administered under the tongue. Unlike allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy doesn’t involve painful needles and can be taken in the comfort of your own home.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
If you’re looking for lifelong relief from Louisiana allergies, choose Wyndly. Schedule your allergy consultation today to start living allergy free.
Louisiana Allergy FAQs
Still have questions about Louisiana allergies? Here are some common questions and answers to help you out.
How long is Louisiana’s allergy season?
Louisiana allergy season can be pretty long, going from late winter to late fall.
Is allergy season bad in Louisiana?
Louisiana has very bad allergies due to the milder winters and plethora of highly allergenic plants.
Is Louisiana a good state if you have allergies?
Louisiana is one of the worst states for allergies.
When is the Louisiana allergy season?
Louisiana allergy season can start as early as February and go on until late November.
What are the worst months?
April, May, and September are usually the worst months.
