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SALT LAKE CITY — For 86 percent of those who suffer with allergies, over-the-counter medications are enough. But for the most severe cases, specialized care through an allergist is necessary, and they are working to come up with painless treatments.
Dr. David Palmer, a local allergist, said there has been a surge of allergy cases. There's a popular theory among allergists as to why this is happening. It's called the "hygiene hypothesis" and suggests that due to the wide use of vaccines, our immune systems no longer feel the need to fight infectious diseases. Instead, they focus on fighting our environment.
- Start using an antihistamine before you get miserable.
- Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollen and mold from drifting into your home, and drive with your car windows rolled up.
- Reduce activity between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when pollen counts are higher.
- Check the pollen count online before heading outdoors.
- Stay indoors on windy days and when the pollen count or humidity is high.
- Let someone else mow the lawn and stay away from freshly-cut lawns. Mowing stirs up pollen and mold.
Info: Utah Department of Health
"What does our immune system have to do except fight cats, grasses, trees, weeds?" Palmer said.
A new allergy medication called sublingual immunotherapy is supposed to help with that. It's currently in the trial phase, but instead of receiving a shot, patients place a small tablet under their tongue. It is expected to be approved by the Food & Drug Administration at the end of the year. Palmer said he thinks it will revolutionize the treatment of seasonal allergies.
Those who suffer from allergies welcome any relief from the condition that affects their lives in big ways.
"I get a lot of sinus congestion. I don't sleep well at night because I can't breath and I wake up stuffy," said Robert Cooper, who suffers from allergies, particularly those to trees.
