Higher pollen counts started early, expected to peak in coming weeks

Things could be even worse than they were last year for allergy sufferers, according to Dr. Stan Fineman of the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

"This year, we had high pollen counts in February, which is very unusual," said the specialist. "We have since had a cold spell, during which pollen counts went down, and now, with warmer weather, we are anticipating high counts next week.

"What we are concerned about is the priming effect," he continued. "A patient's initial exposure to allergens triggers symptoms. Subsequent exposures result in even more violent symptoms.

"Even if the pollen count doesn't get that high, patients may still have significantflare ups of their allergies due to the priming effect in February. People could have more trouble than they've had in the past, including last year," the doctor explained.

Pollen levels were extremely high during the spring of 2007.

Concerning any type of long-term pollen count forecast, Dr. Fineman said, "There is no valid way to predict pollen counts. They depend on multiple factors such as rainfall, temperature, and sunlight, all of which control when trees, grasses, and plants release pollen."

In conclusion, the doctor emphasized that allergy sufferers should be tested to pinpoint what triggers their allergies in order to help determine which treatments are best for them.

According to the website hosted by the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, the major pollen present at the current time is oak.

A sampling of the pollen counts for the month of March is as follows:

March 3 -- 117 (High -- These figures represent the amount of pollen particles measured within the last 24 hours in a cubic meter of air.)

March 6 -- 7 (Low) March 12 -- 30 (Moderate)

March 14 -- 71 (High)

March 19 -- 534 (Anything over 120 is considered "Extremely High.")

March 24 -- 10 (Low)

Last spring, pollen counts ranged from 3,905 to 5,937 during the last week of March.

With little rain in sight and trees blooming all over creation, surviving allergy season is a battle, even for those who do not normally suffer from pollen allergies.

Homemade remedies and highpowered prescription drugs abound. Still, there is no cure, so grab the tissues and saline spray and absorb the following information and advice:

l An allergy is a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance, called an allergen, which causes the body's defense system to overreact when defending itself. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild discomfort to a life-threatening situation.

l Rhinitis ("hay fever") is one of the most common illnesses in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people.

The most common symptoms are sneezing; congestion; a runny nose; itching in the nose, the roof of the mouth, the throat, eyes, and ears; teary eyes; and dark circles under the eyes. This last symptom is sometimes referred to as an "allergy shiner."

l Pollens are the tiny, egg-shaped, male cells of flowering plants. These microscopic, powdery granules are necessary for plant fertilization. The average pollen particle is less than the width of an average human hair.

l The large, waxy pollens from plants with bright flowers, such as roses, usually do not trigger allergies.

The pollens that trigger allergy symptoms are those small, light, dry pollens produced by many trees, grasses, and low-growing weeds -- pollens that are well-suited for dissemination by wind currents.

l Grasses, weeds, and trees tend to pollinate during the early morning hours.

l Spring pollens may be most bothersome at midday or midafternoon as the wind picks up the pollen particles and disperses them through the air.

l A prolonged rain will effectively wash pollen out of the air. However, a brief downpour such as a thunderstorm may, in fact, cause particles that had settled to the ground to once again become airborne.

l Those with hay fever experience two million days of restricted activity, six million days of bed rest, three-and-a-half-million days of work loss, two million lost school days, and close to eight-and-a-halfmillion physician officevisits.

l Do keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning, which cleans, cools, and dries the air.

l Do keep your car windows and sun roofs closed when traveling.

l Do not hang sheets or clothing out to dry. Significantamounts of pollen can be brought into the home on air-dried linens and clothes.

l Do not take more medicine than recommended in an attempt to lessen allergy symptoms.

l People with allergies should avoid mowing the lawn. If you cannot avoid yard work, wear a pollen mask.

l Take a shower after playing or working outside.

l Pets can bring pollen into the home. If your pet goes in and out, limit the pet's access to the home and bathe the animal frequently. In addition, do not let pets sit on the furniture.

l Don't use the attic fan. The fan sucks pollen into the house.

(Editor's note: Some of the information appearing above was reprinted from websites hosted by the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology; MedicineNet; Pollen.com; and Fit- Sugar.)