'Buckle up': Allergy season hitting early, and hard, in Utah

RIVERTON — The sneezing, the coughing, the watery eyes — all signs of those pesky spring allergies.

"If it's bad right now, it's probably seasonal allergies," said Dr. Scott Taylor, an allergy and immunology physician at Riverton Hospital.

With a mild winter and warmer-than-normal temperatures, experts expect this allergy season to be particularly harsh.

"This year it came early; people in February were already starting to sneeze and come into our clinic," Taylor said. "Just buckle up — it's going to be a tough season."

Three Utah cities — Provo, Ogden and Salt Lake City — made the "top 20 allergy capitals," according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

So, what can you do to minimize symptoms?

Taylor said over-the-counter antihistamines can help, but nasal steroids are often more effective.

"It takes up to a day or two to really start see the effect, but if you do it consistently, it makes a big difference," he said.

Nasal rinses with distilled water can also help flush out pollen. Washing your hair at night and keeping windows closed — especially in the morning when pollen counts are highest — can reduce exposure.

Knowing what exactly you're allergic to can also help guide treatment.

Taylor warns that allergies can cause flare-ups in those with asthma.

"If you or a loved one are having issues — not just a runny nose, but difficulty breathing — it's really important that you go in to see a doctor so they can be evaluated and make sure they're taken care of," he said.

Riverton Hospital tracks pollen from a station on the roof, giving doctors an accurate measure of which allergens are in the air. You can view daily pollen counts here.

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