New Location: We've moved! Uptown Allergy & Asthma is now seeing patients at our new location at 2620 Jena Street (right next door to our old location!). We look forward to seeing you in our new space.

Thrive Over Your Seasonal Allergies in New Orleans

See a Seasonal Allergy Specialist
in New Orleans

Dr. Reena Mehta is a board-certified seasonal allergy specialist in New Orleans that can help you and your children thrive over allergy season in New Orleans.

“Dr. Mehta is my favorite allergist I’ve ever seen – really comprehensive care and great attention to detail. Very friendly and compassionate, and spends a lot of time talking things through. She has helped me with allergy maintenance and flare ups. My allergies feel much better controlled.“

– Maddie Hawkins, March 2020

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New Orleans allergy season specialist Dr. Reena Mehta in New Orleans, LA

When Is Allergy Season in New Orleans?

Allergies can occur both seasonally and year-round. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, causes symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and cough. These symptoms commonly occur in spring, summer and/or early fall.

The Start and End of Spring Allergy Season

Throughout the US, spring allergy season usually starts in February and extends into the early summer. Spring allergies are most commonly caused by reactions to pollen from trees such as:

Aspen, Alder, and Ash
Birch, Beech, and Box elder
Cottonwood and Cedar
Elm and Hickory
Mountain elder and Mulberry
Oak and Olive
Poplar and Pecan
Willow

A woman experiencing New Orleans allergy season outdoors

The Start and End of Fall Allergy Season

In the US, fall allergy season runs from August to November. Most people who experience allergy symptoms in the fall are allergic to ragweed, which blooms and releases pollen at peak levels in mid-September. Ragweed grows in the wild in all areas, particularly throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Aside from ragweed in New Orleans, other problematic plants that trigger fall allergies include:

Burning bush and Cocklebur
Lamb’s-quarters and Mugwort
Pigweed and Russian thistle
Sagebrush and Tumbleweed

Factors that Alter the Onset and Length of Allergy Season

Mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate early, making spring allergy season start earlier than February.
A rainy spring can promote rapid plant growth and high pollen levels. It can also lead to high mold levels that trigger allergic symptoms that last until the fall.
Warm days and cool nights during the fall allow tree, grass and ragweed pollens to thrive. This makes allergy symptoms worse.
During hot and humid summers, mold grows quickly and can trigger allergic reactions.
Pollen levels are usually highest in the morning. With wind and warm weather, pollen counts surge.

Seasonal Allergies in New Orleans

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases its annual Allergy Capitals™ report, which collects data on the 100 most-populated metropolitan areas of the US and identifies which cities are the most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. The city ranks are calculated based on factors such as seasonal (fall or spring) pollen scores, allergy medication use per patient, and number of board certified allergy specialists per patient.

Are Allergies Bad in New Orleans?

For fall allergies, New Orleans Louisiana was ranked as the 36th most challenging place to live in 2020. In 2018, New Orleans was ranked 15th. In 2016, New Orleans was ranked 11th.

For spring allergies, New Orleans Louisiana was ranked as the 41st most challenging place to live in 2020. In 2019, it was ranked 7th. In 2018, it ranked 15th. In 2016, New Orleans ranked 17th.

Overall, New Orleans Louisiana was ranked as the 35th most challenging place to live with allergies out of the US’s 100 most-populated metropolitan areas in 2020.

A woman experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms inside

New Orleans AAFA Annual Allergy Capital Ranking

Year	Season	Rank Out of 100
2020	Spring	41
2020	Fall	36
2019	Spring	7
2019	Fall	N/A **
2018	Spring	15
2018	Fall	15
2016	Spring	17
2016	Fall	11

**Data not available for 2017 or fall 2019.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) provides a daily pollen and mold report on its website which you can use to help prepare for allergy season. Here, you will find the top three tree, weed, grass, and mold species in New Orleans and their concentrations on any given day.

Thrive Over Your Seasonal Allergies in New Orleans

See a seasonal allergy specialist in New Orleans Louisiana if your allergies are causing you discomfort. Dr. Mehta has a reputation for developing strong relationships with her patients and being exceptionally attentive to their needs and concerns.