Allergy symptoms surge with pollen counts

The treatment includes three to five years of injections intended to "desensitize people to the various things they're allergic to," Moffat said. The process has close to a 90 percent success rate and is somewhat time-consuming, but covered by most insurances. It is usually only offered by board-certified allergists, who attend five years of schooling beyond medical school, to specialize.

Rogers and Moffat will be featured on this week's Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Health Hotline, where they will take questions regarding allergies. From 10 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, people can call 1-800-925-8177, or post questions online, at the Deseret News' Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews.

While nothing can be done to avoid breathing Utah's mix between mountain and desert air, allergists are ready to help the nearly 25 percent of the population that suffers from hay fever. Adults and large percentages of children also suffer from food allergies and eczema, as well as drug, venom, latex and other contact allergies.

Allergies are a also major trigger for symptoms in asthma cases, Rogers said, adding that his clinic is actively engaged in cutting-edge clinical research, for the treatment of various allergies.

Saturday: Escaping allergies

Hotline Saturday

The Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline focuses on allergies. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, allergists Dr. Craig Moffat and Dr. Charles Rogers will answer questions. Call 1-800-925-8177, toll-free. Anyone can also post questions during that time on the Deseret News Facebook page, www.facebook.com/desnews, and the doctors will do their best to answer them.

E-mail: wleonard@desnews.comTwitter: wendyleonards