SEASON OF BEES, TREES, ALLERGIES SNIFFLES, HIVES 'BLOOM' IN SPRING.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer First came near-record rains last year and a bumper crop of hay fever-producing seeds. Then enough rain to germinate a record round of sniffles snif·fle intr.v. snif·fled, snif·fling, snif·fles 1. To breathe audibly through a runny or congested nose. 2. To weep or whimper lightly with spasmodic congestion of the nose. n. 1. . With the arrival of spring, allergists now warn against a heightened season of nasal drips, reddened eyes and itchy hives hives (urticaria), rash consisting of blotches or localized swellings (wheals) of the skin, caused by an allergic reaction (see allergy). The swelling is caused by distention of the skin capillaries and escape of serum and white cells into the skin and tissues. . ``We're going to see a record allergy season this year,'' said Dr. Jacob Offenberger, a Granada Hills and Northridge Hospital Medical Center Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a hospital in the Northridge town of Los Angeles, California, USA. It is currently operated by Catholic Healthcare West. History The hospital was founded in 1955 by Dr. allergist al·ler·gist n. A physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. allergist Immunology A physician, who is often trained in both internal medicine and clinical immunology and who manages Pts with whose office has begun to fill with patients. ``There's no question that the rains, so late, will keep the hills green for a couple of more months and increase allergy symptoms. ``We're starting to see those patients now.'' Hay fever hay fever, seasonal allergy causing inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. It is characterized by itching about the eyes and nose, sneezing, a profuse watery nasal discharge, and tearing of the eyes. , also known as allergic rhinitis Allergic Rhinitis Definition Allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as hay fever, is an inflammation of the nasal passages caused by allergic reaction to airborne substances. , affects up to one out of five residents who suffer the irritating effects of spring pollen, dust and other allergens. In the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , the first barrage of pollen begins in January from ash and walnut trees. With the arrival of spring, the knockout blow comes from olive, oak and eucalyptus trees. Then, as the winds pick up, the onslaught of grass pollen aggravates allergy sufferers through fall. ``I've got green mucus, itchy throat, red eyes. I'm coughing; I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. why. All of a sudden I've got a headache. I've got hives, too. I suffer daily,'' said Sammy Johnson, 33, a Hollywood personal trainer during a visit Monday to see Offenberger at his Northridge Allergy and Asthma Center. ``It really, really aggravates me.'' As the blooms let fly, so have prescription and over-the-counter medicines such as Claritin or its generic equivalent, loratidin. Allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronic disease in the United States, affecting more than 50 million residents, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Each year, allergies cost patients $18 billion a year, including the cost of 14 million visits to the doctor for hay fever. ``We're seeing new patients asking for (allergy) prescriptions,'' said Grace, a pharmacist at Sav-on Pharmacy in Northridge who declined to give her last name. ``Spring: every year the same.'' Recent rains have also aggravated allergies to outdoor and indoor mold, said Offenberger - and, because it's humid, to dust mites. Last year's deluge dropped 37.25 inches of rain on downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or in the wettest year since 38.18 inches fell in 1883-84. A storm moving through Southern California today is predicted to drop 1 inch to 2 inches of rain in the valleys and along the coast and 2 inches to 4 inches in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service. Allergists say the most important treatments for allergies are prevention and proper medicine. ``There is help,'' Offenberger said. ``The most important thing is to find out what you're allergic to - and if you're allergic to grass and trees, you don't want to go to the park on vacation. ``You go to the ocean.'' Dana Bartholomew, (818) 713-3730 dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Conducting an allergy test, Dr. Helen Mawhinney checks Alexa Zepeda's back for any reaction as Placidia Castro watches. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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