As I write this entry, my nose and the back of my throat are itchy, and I feel as if there are grains of sand in my eyes. I haven't had allergies of this sort this past year, and winter is often very uneventful for me, in terms of environmental allergies. This is, if I remember right, the first time I'm having allergic reactions during wintertime. Well, the weather in our area has been atypically warm this year, so I'm not the only one. Reports say that there are quite a number of people are seeking help, baffled at their allergy symptoms appearing unexpectedly at this time of the year.

Doctors say this winter's weather has sparked an onslaught of mold spores that cause allergies and fluctuating temperatures that irritate already-suffering nasal passages. Many patients may confuse an allergic reaction with a common cold.

"The phone is ringing off the hook - it's incredible," said Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, vice chairman in charge of public education of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, who has a practice in Manhattan.

One look outside the window, and it's no wonder why. Some bushes are even blooming in our neighborhood... right smack in the middle of winter!

If you need a pollen forecast in your area, check out Pollen.com. Knowing what's out there, and how much will help you plan your day out there, possibly even time your medications.