Relief for summer allergies

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Story Published: Jun 27, 2008 at 12:19 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:17 PM PST

By Hayley Guenthner

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MOSCOW - Enjoying the benefits of long, warm days comes with a price: Allergies.

For many quad-cities residents, itchy eyes and frequent sneezes has become the norm. Moscow Family Medicine Physician Francis Spain said the typical culprits of our stuffiness are the changes so many wait all winter to see.

"During this time of year, everything is blooming," Spain said. "The grass is growing, and the trees are pollinating. There are a ton of things are out there that people are becoming more bothered with."

Many side effects for allergy victims are similar to the common cold and can be extremely uncomfortable.

"It can be sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat, coughing," he said. "If you're an asthmatic, you may have wheezing."

Spain said doctors are flooded with patients come spring, but late snow this year delayed the rush. He said there are different factors that bother residents during every season, and summers are hard to escape.

"In our area, currently trees, grasses, and molds are higher," said Spain. "Right now, weeds are not so high, but in another month, weeds will start getting high."

Spain said treatment is easy. He said over-the-counter antihistamines work well for some, but seeking a doctor's advice is wise if symptoms are difficult to control. He said the Moscow Family Medicine Office has the ability to do new third generation testing through blood samples and results are usually available in 24 hours.

"We have a new machine called the Immulite 2000," he said. "The Immulite 2000 specifically allows us to do some of the best allergy testing we can do in the area."

Although the side effects can be uncomfortable, Spain said they don't have to stop you from soaking up the beautiful outdoors this summer.

"We hope not to avoid the outdoors," he said. "The Palouse is a wonderful place to enjoy in the summer and the reason many people love to live here, and also the Lewiston Valley."

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