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Allergies in Kern County Beware of the pollen “Seasonal allergies tend to consist of pollen, dust, ragweed, which are most common here in Kern County.” – Dr. Koran Loewen, San Joaquin Community Hospital
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By Marissa Patton
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neezing. Itchy eyes. Runny nose. We all know allergy season has arrived in Bakersfield when these symptoms kick in as the almond tree blossoms turn into beautiful backdrops. But the beautiful part stops there. And sadly, for those who have allergies, there are a few more months to push through. Doctor Kiran Loewen, a primary care physician with San Joaquin Community Hospital, offered some information and advice to make the allergy months more bearable. According to Loewen, Bakers-
Bakersfield Life Magazine
April 2016
field has two main seasons where allergies come to surface. In the spring, almond trees start blooming and many people see an immediate change. In the winter, the trees wilt and release a lot of allergens into the air, adding to your typical allergy symptoms. “Seasonal allergies tend to consist of pollen, dust, ragweed, which are most common here in Kern County,” she said. And let’s not forget about our toasty summers in Kern County, whose high temperatures actually add to the symptoms of allergies. “Allergens float into the air on hot days,” Loewen said “It’s simple evaporation.”
You typically know you have allergies when you start having a runny nose, see an increase in coughing and have itchy eyes and sneeze constantly. Those who have severe allergies might even have shortness of breath at times. Loewen recommends a daily dose of Benadryl starting in March, for those that have mild symptoms. If a person was born and raised in Kern County, they are actually not prone to having more allergies. The opposite actually happens. Those who move to Kern County from a different area are not acclimated to the area and have the worst allergies, Loewen said.