April 5, 2000

In the last few days, blossoms have exploded along the Wasatch Front. People are heading outside to play, as though this weather is here to stay.

Like spring itself, allergy season may have snuck up on you this year.

Traci Northrup/Allergy Sufferer: ITCHY EYES, THE WATERING AND SWELLING AND THE NOSE.

She's not alone. Tree pollen counts from cedar, cottonwood and poplar has soared in the past few days.

Christine Johnson says she's an extreme sufferer.

Christine Johnson/Allergy Sufferer: A LOT OF SNEEZING, WATERY EYES WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING YOU FEEL CONGESTED.

Dr. Alan Bitner/Intermountain Allergy and Asthma Clinic: WE DEFINITELY HAVE MORE PEOPLE COME IN THIS TIME OF YEAR AS THEY START TO GET SYMPTOMS. SOME OF THEM KNOW ABOUT IT...FOR OTHERS THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE HAD A REALLY BAD SEASON.

Allergist Dr. Alan Bitner says the pollen stirred up earlier than usual this year. We had a warm winter, so trees started to pollenate in late February.

Storm fronts so far have kept the level managable, but now the recipe for allergic reaction has arrived.

Dr. Alan Bitner/Intermountain Allergy and Asthma Clinic: WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE..NOW DRY WARM WINDY WEATHER AND THE POLLEN IS FLYING.

There's no rain storm in the immediate forcast. If it stays dry, the pollen count will go sky-high.

Moderate sufferers may ignore it and just live through it. The allergist says over-the-counter medicine may help, but can have some serious side-effects. Nasal sprays can also help.

If you have severe symptoms, the doctor says monthly shots are problably the best option.

Grass pollen is even more potent than tree pollen, but we really don't have to worry about that for a month.