Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Generic Tissues, Pocket Size

Am I the only one having sneezing fits?

Around here the mowing, trimming and planting continue all year 'round. We've got the weather for it. But it looks like there won't be any more rain for a few months. As mud turns to dust and we kick it up, my nose reacts with snorty violence.

In spite of the nasal wars, I choose to live here. Wish I had a secret weapon.

34 comments:

Bellis said...

Such a generic Pasadena photo. Gardeners are everywhere, every day except Sunday, every time of day. I love the way they keep the gardens looking so neat and tidy, but could do without the constant noise, especially of the leaf blowers, which redistribute soil and pollen from the ground into the air, and up our nostrils. A-choo!

TheChieftess said...

Ahhh Petrea...I've had allergies all year long!!! Even during our snow!!! Something about living next to a forest and not as much snow this year...and...oh yeah...
it's so dry up here my nose doesn't run...it just clogs!!!

Relief is just...a Zyrtec away!!!

Kalei's Best Friend said...

When we moved to this valley, I had never had a sinus infection in my life... My kids never had cradle crap)oops, cap... due to the water..
Its the wind definitely... and the rains make it worse when the blooms start.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, I think there's a law against using those leaf blowers. It might not be in Pasadena, only LA, I'm not sure. But no one pays attention to it anyway. Doesn't help the air situation in the LA basin.

Yes, Chieftess. Clogging! Zyrtec. I'll look for it.

KBF, now that I think about it, I didn't have these problems in Illinois, either. So long ago! But of course I was freezing all the time.

Latino Heritage said...

I use fluticasone nasal spray as needed. It does the job.

I don't think there is a regulation here in town. I wish there were. There are some versions of leaf blowers that are more friendly both to the environment and to those who are doing the work. The output is rough on the gardeners are really getting the worst of it. Most of them don't wear masks so all those fumes go right into their lungs.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yeah, these men (mostly men) work hard with little protection from sun, dust and fumes.

LOLfromPasa said...

A special 'thank you' for this photo taken on Green Street just down the street from one of my best mates' place. I do enjoy seeing my home town through your lens. Thank you!!!

Trish said...

find an allergist, get the annoying scratch test, which will tell you what you are allergic to. In my case, pretty much anything that grows, ever, anywhere. Mine actually suggested I move to Antarctica, too cold to grow anything.

After several attempts at various meds, I've settled on Singulair on a daily basis, adding Zyrtec when it gets bad, adding Astepro when it gets REALLY bad.

And lucky me, I left home last week sounding like my sinuses were never going to open up. Spending just a few days in LA apparently re-ignited my LA allergies, which I'm finally recovering from. Makes me want to cut off my nose!

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm glad it rings that hometown bell for you, LOL (or is it Ace?). Glad you're here.

Trish, thanks. I've done the scratch test and am allergic to very few things. I think there's just a lot of junk in the air and it's going right up my nose. I've got one other orifice that's suitable for breathing and I suppose it's all going in there, too.

BaysideLife said...

In RI, I never had allergies, but here in Florida Pine Tree Pollen and other tree pollens have me stocking up on nasal sprays, pills, tissues and inhallers (also found out I have a mild case of asthma.) But like you, I put up with it because I love where I live--sneezing and all.

Susan Campisi said...

Those are lovely flowers in the back of that truck. I haven't been sneezing often but every once in a while a violent sneeze or two will escape from my body seemingly out of nowhere. All the animals look at me like I'm a freak when it happens.

Laurie Allee said...

And here I thought I was alone in my Benadryl habit!

Petrea Burchard said...

Bayside, just don't tell me your passion is forestry.

Yeah, Susan, Boz thinks I'm barking at him.

Maybe I'll take that, Laurie. If nothing else, I'll at least get a nap.

Katie said...

The flowers are pretty, but this photo makes my eyes water. Luckily I haven't had a sneezing fit lately. I used to be severely allergic to California when I lived in Minnesota and would visit mom, but after 15 years I'm mostly acclimated. I used to take prescription allergy meds but don't need them now. Wish I had a secret weapon for you.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think my secret weapon is time. At the change of seasons, I'll be breathing again.

Ms M said...

We've been having sneezing fits here, too. One area where we walk is filled with blooming locust trees. Heavy air -- but they are so lovely.
Allegra works well for me.

Trish said...

Petrea---so try twice a day, saline rinse. That seems to be the only way to keep stuff from clogging your sinuses.

Petrea Burchard said...

Blooming locust trees! Another illustration, Ms. M, of choosing to live with the allergic reaction because you love the place anyway.

A couple of people have suggested rinsing, Trish. I wonder: am I the only one who's a little freaked out by the idea?

TheChieftess said...

It's a bit creepy at first Petrea, but after doing it for awhile it's no longer creepy...just annoying! There's a saline rinse spray that's just saline/water that works for mild days, but the Netti Pot absolutely works like a charm!! Also, I've heard that taking a teaspoon of local raw honey daily will help...

Petrea Burchard said...

I have a choice: try the creepy rinsing, take pills (which I don't do well with), or stop complaining!

Anonymous said...

Left out the obvious. A cold water splash of the face helps keep things clear.

Betsy

LOLfromPasa said...

Petrea - Ace is taking a nap :) and actually his name need not appear on my comments so I have fixed that, I think. Hope you are feeling a bit better. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

One of my posts just before 9:52 AM escaped. It recommended washing eyeglasses and hands during the day as allergens enter the body through our eyes.

As for "allergy season", a doctor said all four seasons were allergy season.
Betsy

Petrea Burchard said...

Betsy, Blogger screens out some Anonymous posts. If I find your other one I won't put it back in because it will make your third one redundant. It did come to my email. You're right about eyes. It's hard not to touch them because they itch!

Thank you, LOL! I just signed up to follow your lovely blog.

Leslie said...

I've lived in So Cal all my life and I used to have terrible allergy problems. Then I started taking B-Complex vitamins every day, which are great for a whole lot of reasons. My allergies disappeared. I can't guarantee that it will work for everyone, but usually it does the trick. New Chapter is a great brand, made from natural extracts. Don't worry -- I don't own stock in the company. :)
Whatever you decide to try, I hope you get some relief soon! I've heard many people rave about the Neti Pot, but it does kinda creep me out. I'm sure it would be fantastic though, based on what everyone says.
I hope you're sniffle-free soon!

Zenserly said...

I pray you will have that secret weapon by your side the soonest possible time for you to enjoy each season...love this photo so much..the colors are a joy to see...minus the sneezing :-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Leslie, for just a second I thought, "she's selling these--wait a minute, no she's not..." because if you were selling them you'd have left me a link. It does sound promising. I don't love pills but they do seem less creepy than nasal irrigation.

Hi kulasa, thanks. Things aren't really so bad. I know people who suffer terribly during allergy season and that's not me. But I'm sure my entire neighborhood can hear me when I sneeze!

TheChieftess said...

There's a liquid B complex called Max B at Radiant LIght Nutrition...just a few drops in a glass of water and you're good to go!

http://radiantlightnutrition.com/?gclid=CNaI5KLNiLACFeZgTAodzCr2Ow

And no...I don't sell them either!!!

TheChieftess said...

I have a feeling you didn't expect this post to turn out as a forum about allergies, did you Petrea???

Petrea Burchard said...

Ha! They often turn out in surprising ways, I never know. I'm just glad people come by and chat. Plus I get some great ideas!

Leslie said...

What's funny is that I hesitated for two days about saying anything regarding the B-Complex, and in particular the New Chapter brand, because I figured, "She'll think I'm selling this stuff."
In the end I decided that I might as well go ahead and tell you about what has worked wonders for me... and yet the whole time I was writing, I was still thinking, "She is totally going to think that I'm selling this stuff." Life is amusing. :)

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't think you're the first person who's mentioned it to me, Leslie. Maybe I should get a clue.

Anonymous said...

SNORTY!
I thought you'd written something else.....

Petrea Burchard said...

Snorty, snotty, not much difference in this case.

Funny: a post about sneezing gets more comments than just about any other!