San Diego’s allergy surge this season

If your eyes are itchy, your nose is running, and you feel like you’re sneezing on a loop, you’re not imagining it. San Diego was recently ranked No. 2 on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2026 Allergy Capitals® list, which measures how challenging major U.S. cities are for people living with pollen allergies.

For local residents, the timing makes sense. “It’s been a wild start to the season already,” said Dr. Brynn Taylor, a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente’s Carlsbad medical office building. “We’ve had rain, hot weather, and then winds. Pollen is all over the place.”

That mix of weather patterns fuels plant growth and then spreads pollen quickly,creating symptoms that can linger longer than many people expect. One of the most common questions doctors hear this time of year is whether symptoms are caused by a spring cold or allergies. According to Taylor, the two can look very similar at first. Both often begin with itchy eyes, a runny nose, and congestion. The key difference, she said, is time. “A viral illness or common cold usually evolves,” Taylor said. “About five days in, people often develop a sore throat, then a cough, and then it goes away.” Allergies, by contrast, do not follow the same pattern. “They just keep going as long as you have that exposure.”

While allergy testing is still available, Taylor said diagnosis is often based on understanding exposure and how long symptoms persist. For many people, managing allergies starts with limiting how much pollen they encounter in the first place. Prevention, she said, often means reducing exposure indoors. Running air inside with an air conditioner or using a HEPA filter can help limit pollen circulating through the home. Keeping windows closed during high‑pollen days may also help reduce symptoms.

What happens after spending time outdoors matters, too. Pollen clings easily to hair, skin, and clothing, following people back inside. Taylor recommends showering when you get home to wash allergens away before they spread throughout living spaces.

For people who enjoy afternoon walks, yardwork, or weekend youth sports, that simple routine can reduce how much pollen is brought indoors. When symptoms are persistent, treatment options could help some people find relief. Taylor noted that nasal sprays can be effective for symptom control when used consistently. Depending on individual symptoms, over‑the‑counter allergy medications may also provide relief.

Allergies may be common, but they are not something people have to simply endure. If symptoms are severe, lingering, or interfering with sleep, work, or daily activities, Taylor recommends checking in with a doctor to try to find relief. A clinician can help confirm what is driving symptoms, review current treatments, and discuss next steps based on an individual’s health history.

That approach reflects Kaiser Permanente’s mission: to provide high‑quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of its members and the communities it serves.

San Diego’s No. 2 ranking may be an unwelcome distinction, but it also serves as a reminder that allergy season does not have to derail daily life. With a clearer understanding of symptoms, practical prevention steps, and guidance from a care team, many people can spend more time enjoying the season and less time managing it.