Sneeze

0

JENNIFER NETHERBY

Staff Reporter

With tree and grass pollen suspended in the air by the bushel, things couldn’t be better for Dr. Jacob Offenberger.

The North Hollywood allergist has seen a 40 percent increase in business this year, thanks to a high pollen count and a consequent stream of new patients looking for relief.

“There are people who for many years said they could handle it, but now, they’re breaking,” said Offenberger. “They’ve given up.”

Allergies are especially bad this year because of El Ni & #324;o-related grass and weed buildup in 1998 followed by this year’s La Ni & #324;a conditions, which led to rain well after the usual season.

Concerned about absenteeism and lost productivity, many companies are turning to health care specialists to speak to employees about allergies. Offenberger has done lectures for companies from aerospace firms in Lancaster to hospitals in Van Nuys. Most want to know the safest way to help employees get better.

“I’m sure many employers got more and more complaints of sinus infections last year because of El Ni & #324;o,” said Offenberger. “They’re interested to know the potential side effects of over-the-counter medications and the safety of new non-sedating drugs.”

Employers and consumers spend an estimated $2 billion a year on allergy treatment, $225 million of which goes to doctor visits, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This makes allergies one of the costliest illnesses to U.S. companies.

A survey of eight large Florida companies conducted by the Employers Health Coalition found that 28 percent of their employees were affected by allergies. If that percentage holds true for all businesses, it would cost an estimated $1.4 million annually per 1,000 workers mostly in work that isn’t done properly because an employee is suffering from allergies.

Allergies were the most costly malady of 10 diseases ranked by prevalence in the workplace, according to the survey. Second to allergies in missed work and lost production was depression.

Angie Guirindola, benefits manager at Santa Clarita-based Princess Cruises, said the company will soon hold its first workshop with an allergy specialist about how to control symptoms.

“Maybe it’s becoming more of an issue because it does have an effect ultimately on (a company’s) medical plan,” Guirindola said. “Less production also hurts in the long run. Then if you have a child with allergies, it becomes a conjunctive issue. The parent stays home and it’s a double whammy.”

Guirindola also chairs the L.A. chapter of the Employers Health Coalition, a non-profit group that works with employers to bring down insurance costs. Princess is one of several companies in the coalition that have plans to bring in health care experts to talk about allergies, she said.

The move to bring allergy awareness to the workplace comes as part of an effort by employers and health maintenance organizations to focus on preventative care for everything from overeating to other issues that can interfere with production and health, Guirindola said.

“It’s to help with maintenance rather than serious illness,” she said.

The prevalence of pollens could make it a costly year for area businesses. Allergy season typically begins in March, when olive-tree pollen is very common. In June, tree pollen and grass hit, and by October and November, ragweed strikes.

Unlike other parts of the country where trees and plants die during part of the year, Southern California’s warm weather keeps trees and other pollinators alive almost year-round. Pollen can be especially high in the San Fernando Valley because of Santa Ana winds that stir up dust and other allergens. The Santa Clarita and the Antelope valleys are probably the worst areas for allergies.

“In California, it’s only good for the allergist,” Offenberger said.

No posts to display