What about tree pollens? What happens in this area?
Richmond is one of the highest tree-pollen areas. The first trees generally begin to pollinate from mid-February, beginning with cedar pollen for about a week. You will see more from late March to early May: oak, birch, maple.

Which tree pollens in Richmond will cause the most distress?
Maple, birch, and especially oak, are most allergenic.

The air in your home needs cleaning, too.

Todd Johnson and Kevin Kirsh of Midlothian Mechanical believe that a "tune up" is in order for your home air conditioning systems.

They emphasize that EPA studies have shown that indoor air quality is several times worse than outdoor air quality.

Humidity levels, such as in homes near the river, plus interior factors like carpet-based irritants, or using hair spray, will affect the air you breathe. Kevin adds, "Houses are built so tightly there is not as much fresh air."

An indoor air assessment (the AirAdvice® Report) can determine your options. Adding a media air filter may remove up to 99 percent of pollen and mold spores, and up to 90 percent of dust particles or other pollutants. Kevin says, "Putting in a media filter does such a great job" in improving air quality for conditions such as asthma. Some clients with severe allergies have reported a decrease in their use of medication.

It is the effectiveness rating for air filters, referring to the amount of particle removal of contaminants from the air. The higher the rating, the more effective the filter.

Dr. Michael Blumberg remarks, "It's almost universal in this area. We're seeing more allergies from indoor insects. It is not just in the Fan or on Church Hill, we are seeing this also in Chesterfield and in the West End."

He co-authored a research paper two years ago about a female patient who exhibited several "classic" allergy symptoms, yet it was difficult to determine the source of her distress.

At one point she mentioned that she was exposed to ladybugs. Dr. Blumberg developed a skin test to determine if the ladybug possessed an allergen that was causing her symptoms from an allergic reaction to a ladybug protein enzyme found in the ladybugs' digestive tract.

The Miele Capricorn. $1,149.00 at Willett Vacuum.

Peter Vinci of Willett Vacuum says, "When you're vacuuming, you're stirring up dirt; you're throwing around more stuff that's in the air."

The correct vacuum, Vinci says, "is your A-1 defense against allergens." Some customers reported a decreased need for allergy treatments after using vacuums from Miele. The entire mechanism of the vacuum, not only its HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, but also its bag and Sealed System™ technology that collects particles that would otherwise escape into the air, have been proven to enhance air quality.

This results in air that is "cleaner than air that's in your room," says Vinci. He recommends that filters be replaced yearly.

Vinci emphasizes, "Bagless vacuums are not good for allergies."

Symptoms of a food allergic reaction can appear minutes to two hours after eating the food and can include tingling of the mouth and tongue, throat swelling, trouble breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and death.

Life can get tricky. Unlike the allergens of cats, dogs, or ragweed, food allergens are not so easily avoided. What to do? Read labels very carefully and cook your own food. Don't eat out. You don't know how food is prepared in a restaurant or under what conditions, and it isn't protected by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA).

FALCPA went into effect on January 1, 2006. The law requires food manufacturers to list the word "contains" and the allergen's name in plain English. FALCPA's requirements apply to all packaged foods sold in the United States and regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including both domestically manufactured and imported foods. Congress has identified eight foods or food groups as major food allergens protected by FALCPA: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. To learn more, visit the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov.

Locally, Good Foods Grocery has a new service. Consumers can visit the store online at www.goodfoodsgrocery.com and perform a product search. Simply select the ingredients you are allergic to, and a large selection of foods without this ingredient appears.