THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 8, 1995 TAG: 9504080224
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Ahh, spring. The chill of winter is past; the thrill of summer yet to begin. Ahh, the season of rebirth; of budding trees and blossoming flowers. Ahh. . . ahh. . . ahh-choooo!
Sniffle.
There is more riding the warming breezes than the pleasing scent of blooms. Pollen and dust are finding their way into our nostrils. And for those sensitive to it all, that means allergy season also is blooming.
While a warmer-than-average winter means much of the nation is worse off than normal, Hampton Roads is actually faring rather well - so far - this spring.
Pollen counts ``are lower this year than they have been in recent years,'' said Monique Lowman, medical technology supervisor for the Norfolk Public Health Department.
As a result, people ``to date, are probably having an easier time,'' Lowman said. ``We haven't had that much rain; we haven't had that much warm weather. You can see that spring is breaking out, but we just haven't had those (pollen) numbers.''
Troops on the front lines agree. The spring allergy season ``is just beginning to come on,'' said Dr. Murali D. Sharath, an allergist who practices at The Allergy Center in Virginia Beach. ``It's only been in the last couple of weeks'' that he's seen an increase in complaints. ``Usually, they start having problems earlier.''
He said the difference is not that pollination isn't occurring - it is. ``The time of pollination is pretty much constant throughout the country. What is different is the amount that is dispersed.'' That can depend heavily on the weather.
And the respite Hampton Roads has generally enjoyed could be as brief as a heat wave in February.
``If we start having warm weather and a little rain here and there, we're going to see things sprouting out,'' Lowman said, and pollen counts will rise. Moisture helps the growth of mold spores and increases their production. Dry, windy days spread spores and pollen, thus that's when people have the most trouble.
For evidence of how light this season has been, folks need only look at what is on the hoods of their cars. Or, rather, not there: a light, yellow dusting of pine tree pollen.
``Usually, it's a real nuisance by this time,'' Lowman said, ``but we're not seeing as much as in recent years.''
Because it is so visible, pine pollen gets a bad rap. People - especially allergy sufferers - see it and think they have come to face the enemy. Super Pollen.
In truth, ``almost nobody is allergic to it,'' Lowman said.
It's the smaller pollens, the ones you don't see, that invade the body with such impact. They come from every tree and blade of grass, as well as flowers.
Typically the worst time of year is from February to June. Tree pollen is usually at its worst in April in this area, while grass pollen hits in June.
Folks could just hide in their homes, but after months of being closed in, the arrival of spring encourages the opening of windows. The otherwise welcome breeze may carry pollen and can stir up all sorts of dust, as does spring cleaning.
So the sneezing, sniffling, running nose and watery eyes that many people attribute to pollen may actually be of their own making.
Dust and mold spores are a key source of allergy problems. Others are human and animal hair and dry skin flakes (dander), bacteria, lead from peeling lead paint, silica, dried pet saliva, strands of various fabrics and fecal matter from rodents and insects.
If you are an allergy sufferer, there are three battle fronts:
Environment - Keep your home clean and avoid opening windows and doors, especially on breezy days when allergins might be carried in. Avoid outdoor exercise, especially at dawn and dusk, when pollen levels are highest. If you must go out, wear a pollen-filter mask. Close the windows while driving and use air conditioning. Use one of Hampton Road's natural defenses: the beach. Especially when winds are coming in off the water, you'll be free of most allergens.
Medicine - Scores of over-the-counter drugs are available and doctors can prescribe some new and even stronger medications.
Immune system enhancement - A series of shots that can last one to five years can help redirect a person's immune system and make it possible to fight allergens. ILLUSTRATION: SNEEZE SEASON
Monique Lowman/KRT
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
SOURCES: Mayo Clinic family Health Books, Reader's Digest, Gallup,
Marion Merrell Dow Inc., "Sneezing Your Head Off?" by Dr. Peter
Boggs
by CNB