Mold, pollen getting up people's noses

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

As residents with allergies prepare for the dreaded "haying season," local physicians are warning that because of an unusually wet summer, those runny noses, itchy throats and missing co-workers are more likely the result of heightened mold levels than weeds or pollen.

According to the National Allergy Bureau's Web site, weed and pollen levels across the region are lower than usual this time of year, while the mold count is above 2,600 per cubic meter, representing a high risk level for allergy sufferers.

Dr. Robert McGovern, an allergy specialist at Springfield's Baystate Medical Center, said that although physicians prepare for a sudden increase in patients between Aug. 15 and the first major frost of the fall, when the ragweed is in full bloom, the source and timing of the outbreaks can vary from year to year.

"There is a lot of mold out there this year because we had such a wet summer, and whenever kids go back to school they commonly develop upper-respiratory infections," McGovern said. "I think it is probably a combination of both the mold and weeds that is making everyone sick."

The best solution for those suffering this year, McGovern said, is to avoid being outside on particularly dry or windy days and to pinpoint the source of the allergy and the best way treat it, whether that be through the use of nasal drops, sprays or oral medication. Dry and windy conditions circulate airborne allergens such as tree, weed and grass pollen more heavily and farther than usual.

For Florence residents Kris and John Holloway-Bidwell and their two children, battling allergies to pollen, mold, dust and pet dander is a year-round struggle that requires annual allergy shots and a very cautious lifestyle.

"We have allergies to dust and fur, which carries us through the winter months, and then pollen and mold are the ones that we deal with for most of the year," Kris Holloway-Bidwell said.

Although they pay close attention to pollen and mold levels, use air-conditioning and avoid carpeting and drapes that may collect allergens, without proactively medicating themselves, she said, there would be little her family could do to avoid stuffy sinuses.

"We are both allergic to cats and we can avoid going into houses with people who own them, but with hay fever and other outdoor allergies sometimes you just can't help it because they're everywhere, and you can't avoid life," she said.

John Holloway-Bidwell, who works at Bidwell ID, a local marketing firm, said Monday was the first time this season that he noticed co-workers missing because of allergy-related illnesses.

"We have two people out sick today and we now have hand sanitizer on literally every desk," he said. "One of the things we have been talking about is how many sick days we allow, because we are anticipating a particularly bad flu season and it is important that people stay home if they are showing any signs that they are becoming sick."

Another physician corrrelating the high mold levels with a sudden increase in patients is Dr. Barry Elson, who works for Northampton's Wellness Associates on Pleasant Street.

"Mold levels are really high right now. They're not off-the-chart high, but where they're at can cause some significant problems for people with allergies," Elson said. "The typical symptoms might seem like a cold at first but there is usually an itchy quality to it and sometimes swelling will occur."

The best way to avoid getting sick in the first place, Elson said, is to see a doctor for an allergy screening in early spring. Once sick, he said he recommends that his patients avoid exposure to the outdoors on high-risk days and combine the proper medication with air treatment using air conditioners or dehumidifiers.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com