An abundance of algae in the ocean near Santa Cruz, California, has caused many people to suffer allergic reactions.
Depending on what part of the country you reside in, you may be exposed to certain allergens that are unique to your area. This appears to be the case for individuals who live in and around Santa Cruz, California, as an abundance of reddish-brown algae has bloomed in the ocean, causing many of the local residents to suffer allergic reactions.
According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the algae usually persists from August to October, but appears to be lingering as a result of the notably warm weather over the past couple months. In addition to the strong stench that it gives off, the algae also produces symptoms similar to that of hay fever — particularly after people have gone in the water.
"It's similar to developing a rash after wearing latex gloves on a regular basis," Raphael Kudela, a University of California Santa Cruz ocean scientist, explained in an interview with the news outlet. "The algae produce proteins, so if you're in the ocean a lot, you can start to build an allergic reaction to these proteins."
The source notes that although people are most at risk after spending time in the water, even those who live along the coast have reported dealing with uncomfortable symptoms.
Fortunately, as the weather cools down, the algae will begin to dissipate. In the meantime, if people are looking for ways to combat pollen, mold, pet dander, algae and other particles that make it into the airways, they may want to consider purchasing residential air purifiers from the Air Purifiers Direct 2U website.