Utah Allergies

Utah is a beautiful state full of ecological diversity, outdoor activities and abundant recreational opportunities. However, contrary to the popular notion of decreased allergy and improved respiratory issues in the dry Intermountain West, we find that many people suffer with more allergy problems in Utah and the surrounding areas than many other parts of the country. This is due in part to the presence of similar pollen exposure as we would experience in other parts of the country plus the pollens that are more unique to the Intermountain West such as sagebrush and Juniper. That is why we hear the term “Utah Allergies” so often.

The air-quality also seems to play a major role. Unfortunately, the Wasatch front is plagued by less than optimal air quality throughout much of the year. This seems to contribute to both allergy and asthma problems, along with many other health issues. It is clear that poor air quality may worsen the inflammatory effects of pollen exposure thus increasing the difficulty we see with asthma, chronic sinus problems as well as nasal and eye allergy issues.

In spite of these problems, with appropriate treatment, asthma and allergy problems can be well-controlled, thus allowing restoration of quality-of-life. By keeping the allergies well-controlled we can restore people’s ability to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us in the state of Utah without struggling from “Utah allergies”.