BUSINESS WATCH:

For a long time, they had been an obscure item in drugstores around Newport-Mesa, tucked between other boxes on the shelf or sometimes not displayed at all.

Then the wildfires engulfed Southern California last week and, overnight, face masks turned into one of the most demanded items around.

Newport-Mesa’s pharmacies underwent a busy few days after fires flared up around the region Sunday. None of the blazes came close to either city, but the heavy soot in the air led many people to the counters at Rite Aid, Longs and other providers around town. According to pharmacists, most customers requested masks to cover the nose and mouth — and a number of stores had to put in orders to keep up with demand.

“Face masks have been flying off the shelves,” said Michael Thantron, a pharmacist at Rite Aid on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa. “We actually had to order some more.”

Thantron said his store usually only had a few boxes of masks available, but with requests coming in every two or three hours, the initial supply ran out by Wednesday afternoon. In addition, Thantron said, a number of people had asked for nasal spray to deal with the dry weather.

Pharmacist Brian Lyn described a similar scene at the Newport Coast Pharmacy, which he said did not usually stock face masks and had to order a massive amount of them Tuesday — and again Thursday, when the first shipment ran out.

“People are saying it looks like Mars outside,” Lyn said.

In the wake of the first fires on Sunday, the County of Orange Health Care Agency and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, among others, issued press releases advising residents to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid vigorous exercise. The county agency also recommended taking steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as wearing loose-fitting clothing and drinking large amounts of water.

Stephanie Vann, a pediatrician with the Newport Children’s Medical Group, said she treated a number of asthmatic patients in the last week, although the numbers had not been overwhelming. She praised school districts for keeping children indoors as much as possible.

Vann, who works across the street from Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, noted that dry winds often caused health problems by themselves.

“Whenever the Santa Anas blow, the asthmatics have a tougher time, so I’m not surprised, with or without the wildfires,” she said.

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.