By Dr. María Lorena Ferreira Aranguren, specialist in Immunology and Allergy (Universidad de Chile). Consultations in English and Spanish. Reviewed 19 October 2026.
Sneezing since September, itchy eyes on every walk to work? In Santiago, it is probably the trees.
Short answer. Santiago's spring allergy season starts in late August with the plane tree (plátano oriental), which lines many of the city's streets. Other trees take over from October to December, and grass pollen can last until March or April. Symptoms are worst on hot, dry days and in the late morning. Antihistamines help many people; in Chile most are sold with a prescription. If they don't help, an allergy specialist can confirm the trigger and discuss longer-term treatment.
Santiago · spring allergy calendar
When does pollen peak in Santiago?
Plane treeplátano oriental
Other treesmaple, cypress, poplar, walnut
Grassesgramíneas
Worst times of day: late morning and early evening
Why is Santiago so hard on allergy sufferers in spring?
Many of Santiago's avenues are lined with plane trees. In a five-year record from the city (2009 to 2013), plane tree pollen made up 62% of all the pollen counted, and pollen reached moderate or higher levels on an average of 293 days a year. The season starts in late August and peaks in September.
Is it really the plane tree?
Not always. About a third of allergic patients tested in Santiago are sensitised to the plane tree. Grasses and weeds such as nettle also cause symptoms, and grasses keep going until March or April. If your symptoms continue past December, grasses are a likely cause. A specialist can tell them apart with skin prick or blood tests.
Travelling in Chile: what to expect, region by region
Chile stretches more than 4,000 km from north to south, and published pollen records exist for only a few cities. This is what they show.
Santiago and Valparaíso (centre). The plane tree dominates from August to November, and grasses continue into summer. Weekly pollen levels for Santiago, Valparaíso, Talca and Temuco are published by the Fundación de Aerobiología, Medio Ambiente y Salud at polenes.cl.
Talca and the Maule (centre-south). The most varied mix in Chilean studies: plane tree, grasses, maple, poplar, cypress and olive, with ragweed from February to April. A 2026 study found that total pollen in Talca had risen by more than 240% since 2007–08, with longer seasons.
Temuco and the south. Grasses, cypress and sorrel, highest from September to March.
The north (Atacama) and Patagonia. There are no published pollen records. That is not the same as pollen-free, so bring your usual treatment.
Travelling in Chile
Pollen across Chile, north to south
- NorthArica to La Serena, Atacama
No published pollen records. Do not assume it is pollen-free.
- CentreSantiago, Valparaíso
Plane tree dominates: 62% of all pollen counted in Santiago. Worst August to November; grasses into summer.
- Centre-southTalca, Maule
The most varied mix: plane tree, grasses, maple, poplar, cypress and olive. Ragweed February to April.
- SouthTemuco, La Araucanía
Grasses, cypress and sorrel. Highest from September to March.
- PatagoniaAysén, Magallanes
No published pollen records. Bring your usual medication.
When is pollen worst during the day?
Late morning, around 10:00 to 12:00, when release peaks.
Early evening, around 17:00 to 22:00, when cooling air brings suspended pollen down.
Hot, dry, windy days in general.
What helps?
Time outdoor exercise for the early morning or after rain.
Keep windows closed at peak hours, at home and in the car.
Shower and change clothes after spending time outside.
Ask about a non-drowsy antihistamine for sneezing and itching, and a nasal steroid spray for congestion. In Chile, most antihistamines and all nasal steroid sprays are listed as prescription-only.
Check weekly pollen levels at polenes.cl before planning outdoor time.
Can a pollen allergy affect what I eat?
Sometimes. Some people allergic to plane tree pollen also react to certain plant foods, most often hazelnut, peach, apple and peanut. Symptoms range from an itchy mouth after eating raw fruit to, less often, more serious reactions. Most of this research comes from Spain. If you notice symptoms after eating, talk to your doctor before cutting out foods.
Visiting Chile with allergies: medicines
Bring enough of your usual medication for the whole trip, plus a copy of your prescription.
Most antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and adrenaline auto-injectors are listed as prescription-only in Chilean pharmacies.
If you use an adrenaline auto-injector, travel with two. In Chile, EpiPen is sold only with a prescription and stock varies; in October 2026 one pharmacy chain listed it at CLP 158,099.
When should I see a specialist?
Symptoms affect your sleep, work or school despite medication.
You have a cough, wheezing or chest tightness. Pollen can trigger asthma.
Your child has symptoms every spring.
You react to foods as well as pollen.
You want to know whether allergen immunotherapy could be an option for you.
Dr. Ferreira grew up in New York and sees adults and children in English or Spanish, in person in Las Condes or by telemedicine.
Sources: Toro et al., pollen in Santiago 2009–2013, PLOS ONE 2015 · Mardones et al., allergenic pollen in Talca, Allergol Immunopathol 2013 · Mardones et al., pollen trends in Talca, Aerobiologia 2026 · Mardones et al., pollen in Temuco, Rev Chil Enferm Respir 2011 · Enrique et al., plane tree pollen and food allergy, Allergy 2002 · Emol 2023, sensitisation to plane tree in Santiago · Pauta 2022 · Salcobrand, EpiPen listing
If you'd like your symptoms reviewed, you can book an appointment.