Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America Reports on Allergy Blues in Southern California.

LOS ANGELES -- The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America reports that ten to twenty percent of the population will suffer from allergies this spring. Plants that cause allergies are not easy to identify because their flowers are not as colorful. Pollen is often cited for the rise in asthma emergency room visits during the spring and the fall.

Pollen is a very fine powder released by trees, weeds and grasses. When the male trees release their pollen into the air, a small amount reaches the female trees and most of the pollen remains in the air or on the ground, making it easy for people to inhale it.

In Southern California, acacia, cottonwood, oak, olive, maple, walnut, mulberry sycamore, mesquite and willow trees pollinate from mid January through June.

When airborne plant pollen is inhaled, people allergic to tree pollens experience sneezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, scratchy and sore throat, and runny nose. One reaction to pollen allergies is hay fever and, for others, asthma.

Plants that are wind-pollinated are more likely to be allergenic than plants that are insect pollinated. Although, there are some plants that give contact rashes. Poison ivy causes a skin reaction, which can remain on the body for more than a week. Making sure to wash immediately after contact may prevent pain and suffering.

Weeds start to pollinate in the spring and last through autumn in Southern California. The weed that causes 75 percent of all hay fever is ragweed and it mainly grows in the Eastern States and the Midwest. Other weeds that cause allergic reactions are pigweed and sagebrush (tumbleweed), Russian thistle, plantain, mugwort, dock sorrel, cocklebur and lamb's quarters.

Pollen grains must be released in large amounts and be carried by wind to produce an allergic response. Black-eyed susans, chrysanthemums, dahlia, sunflower and zinnia flowers may cause reactions for people allergic to pollens. In California, grasses that cause allergies include bermuda, fescue, johnson, orchard, rye and timothy.

One way to determine whether you are allergic to plants, trees, weeds or flowers is to have a skin sensitivity test. To protect yourself against pollen, stay indoors in the morning and use a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter attachment when the pollen count is high. This will help remove pollen from the indoor air. You can also check the pollen count in your area on the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America's home page (http://www.aafasocal.com) by entering your zip code.