SACRAMENTO, CA - Pollen counts have reached high levels, according to News10 weather forecasters. Mulberry, ash and pine pollens are the main contributors to the high levels.
The winds combined with the high pollen counts have allergy sufferers lining up at doctors' offices.
Dr. Bradley Chipps, however, said the allergy season has actually started later than usual. He attributed the recent rain for keeping pollen levels down. "We usually start to see higher pollen counts in late February or early March," he said.
According to the doctor, most sufferers are complaining of ichy eyes, scratchy throats and sneezing. He cited three concrete ways to alleviate symptoms.
"There are only three ways to handle allergic disease: avoidance, medication or allergy shots," said Chipps. "One should consider allergy shots when the symptoms are persistent and medication doesn't work."
Other allergists suggest wearing a mask in order to avoid pollen and keeping nasal passages clean by regularly rinsing with a saline solution. The best way to alleviate allergy symptoms, however, is limiting outdoor exposure, according to Chipps.
