Spring is in the air, the birds are singing, and I am sneezing and coughing.
It is called "Hay Fever", yet my symptoms have nothing to do with "hay" or "fever".
It is the onslaught of allergy-inducing pollens and the misery they bring to those who suffer from "seasonal" allergies.
Over the past few weeks, the pollen counts, especially the tree pollen, have been recorded either as "high" or "very high" in our valley.
Among the worst offenders are oaks, walnut and olive trees, noting the fact that more olive groves have been planted locally in the last decade to meet growing demand for their oil.
Those trees are wind-pollinated, clouding the air with particles that can cause nasal congestion, watery eyes and other symptoms, in my case, the hacking cough. It has been windy in the valley for the last few days. The pollen can ride the wind to travel long distances.
Talking about tree pollen, we have plenty of it in our yard, where is under the hill with many mature oak trees. It is reported that a tree in your own yard could expose you to 10 times as much pollen as a tree down the street.
Talking about tree pollen, we have plenty of it in our yard, where is under the hill with many mature oak trees. It is reported that a tree in your own yard could expose you to 10 times as much pollen as a tree down the street.
With the wonder and rebirth of Spring and while many of us love this time of year, "Hay Fever" sufferers like me dread it.
Yeh Tze
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