Pollen explosion on Monterey Peninsula has allergists busy

If you live on the peninsula then you know pollen is everywhere. Cars, sidewalks, even stair rails are painted yellow.

“This we just cleaned a few minutes ago and the pollen is already starting to come back out,” said restaurant owner Emanuele Bartolini, referring to a patio table.

Bartolini owns iL Grillo in Carmel. He said every morning staff does a deep cleaning on the patio, wiping down chairs and tables that are covered with pollen.

“But it’s pretty much wasting time because after 15, 20 minutes, with all the trees, it’s coming back everything,” said Bartolini.

Steven Prager with Central Coast Allergy and Asthma said the coast is blanketed with pollen because of the recent rains coupled with warmer weather.

“Because of the rains I think the trees have built up and they are all releasing their pollen at once,” said Prager.

If you’re suffering from allergies, experts suggest keeping your windows shut, change your clothes when you get home and shower.

Prager said get used to it. With more storms ahead, he’s predicting a bad allergy season this spring.

“I suspect this spring we are going to see avery severe grass, pollen season and weed pollen season that we haven’t seen for quite a few years now,” said Prager.