Many people who move to South Florida expect to leave allergy season behind with the snow. Instead they find that sneezing and itchy eyes arrive in January and do not fully leave. That is not imagined: Florida’s pollen calendar is longer and messier than in much of the country.

Why Florida’s allergy season feels endless

The University of Florida’s extension service explains that Florida has more frequent and longer pollen seasons than much of the United States, where trees, grasses and weeds tend to take turns. Here they overlap for much of the year.

  • Trees produce about 80 percent of Florida’s airborne pollen. Oaks are among the most allergenic, with a peak from February to May and high counts in some areas as early as December.
  • Grasses pollinate in spring, summer and fall. Bahiagrass, the most common grass in the state, is highly allergenic, and Bermudagrass can pollinate year-round in subtropical areas.
  • Weeds can pollinate in any season, with ragweed the most important.

A 2026 UF/IFAS report put the South Florida peak at February to May, named oaks, pines and melaleucas as major local producers, and noted that rain from summer thunderstorms naturally knocks pollen out of the air. Mold, which thrives in humidity, can add to symptoms year-round.

Allergy or a cold?

Allergic rhinitis, the medical name for hay fever, causes sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, nose or throat, watery eyes and sometimes cough and fatigue. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology points out a few differences from a cold:

  • Allergies start soon after exposure and last as long as the exposure does. Colds usually start a day or two after catching the virus and improve within about a week.
  • Allergy drainage is usually thin and clear; a cold can bring thicker or yellowish mucus.
  • Allergies do not cause fever. A cold may cause a low-grade one.
  • Allergies are not contagious.

If your symptoms never really let up, pollen may not be the only cause. The ACAAI notes that year-round allergic rhinitis is usually driven by indoor triggers such as dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches and mold. Allergy testing can sort out which ones matter for you.

Treatments that work

MedlinePlus describes nasal corticosteroid sprays as the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis. They work best when used every day through your season, rather than only on bad days. Other options include:

  • Antihistamines, as pills, nasal sprays or eye drops. Newer ones usually cause fewer side effects; older types can cause drowsiness.
  • Saline rinses or sprays, which wash out pollen and thin mucus.
  • Decongestants, which relieve stuffiness but not itching or sneezing. MedlinePlus advises not using decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days, because of rebound congestion.
  • Allergy shots or tablets under the tongue (immunotherapy), for symptoms that are hard to control. Shots typically continue for three to five years.

A caution for people with high blood pressure or heart disease: the American Heart Association notes that decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can raise blood pressure and may interfere with blood pressure medicines. They often hide inside combination cold and sinus products, so read labels and check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Cutting down your exposure

  • Keep windows closed at home and in the car, and run the air conditioning.
  • Check pollen forecasts and plan long outdoor time for after rain when you can.
  • Shower and change clothes after yard work, golf or tennis, and wash bedding often.
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors to keep pollen out of your eyes.
  • Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent and fix leaks promptly to limit mold, as the ACAAI recommends.

When to see your doctor

MedlinePlus suggests contacting your provider if symptoms are severe, if a treatment that used to work no longer does, or if symptoms do not respond to treatment. Also call if you have wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness, facial pain with fever, or symptoms that keep you from sleeping. Antibiotics do not help allergies; our article on when antibiotics help and harm explains why.

At Legacy Medical, Dr. Shtern can help sort out allergy from infection, choose treatments that fit your blood pressure and other medicines, and refer you to an allergist when testing or immunotherapy makes sense. Many allergy questions can be handled by video visit. To meet her, book a complimentary meet and greet.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Members can call the office with questions about their own care.