By SUMMER BRADFORD
For allergy sufferers, especially in Utah which has one of the highest tree pollen counts in the nation, itchy eyes and sneezing are taking away from the pleasures of the early spring.
The mild winter and warm dry weather Utah has experienced recently is to blame for the high tree pollen count, said Lisa Gordon, a Licensed Nurse Practitioner at the Provo Allergy and Asthma Clinic.
“(Because of the warm weather) everything is out in full force, so the pollen counts seem to be a lot higher this year and have hit people really hard,” Gordon said.
Gordon said she expects the tree pollen season to last until mid-April. She said there is usually a week break from tree pollen, but then grass pollens start in May and go through June.
For people who are allergic to tree pollen Gordon recommended keeping the windows shut at night and showering after being outside to wash the pollen off the body. She also said people should avoid being outside in the early mornings and evenings when the pollen counts are highest.
Dr. Henry Yates, an allergist, said contrary to common understanding the blossoming trees are not the cause of the pollen allergies. He said insects pollinate the trees with blossoms, whereas trees without blossoms must rely on the wind to transport the pollen. With the pollen just floating in the air, people breathe in the pollen along with the air.
Yates said when a foreign substance such as pollen enters the body an antibody is produced to protect the body from that substance. The antibody causes the release of histamines which are what cause allergy symptoms including itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose.
Over-the-counter and prescription drugs and allergy shots offer relief to some allergy sufferers.
“Most allergies are treatable and most do not require prolonged desensitization shots,” said Gus Hoffman, a doctor at Health Services.
Some people who have allergies do not even realize it. Hoffman said a persisting low grade runny nose may be indicative of an allergy, but can be treated.
Hoffman said people who suffer from allergies should be on an antihistamine to block the histamines that cause the uncomfortable symptoms.
