Brittni Vandersen has allergies and everything happens. When everything is in bloom, her eyes get watery, sneezes, nose running and red eyes.

Every spring and summer, Brittni's seasonal allergies act up. For her, pollen is the main culprit. A test confirmed that.

Brittni hasn't noticed any change in her allergies in recent years, but many other allergy sufferers say their symptoms are worsening. Allergists say the reason could well be deteriorating air quality, even here on the lower mainland.

Smog isn't really a big issue here until late summer and the fall when temperature inversions trap pollutants in the eastern Fraser Valley, but even low levels of smog can affect allergy sufferers.

Allergist Dr. Ross Chang says, "smog enhances a person's airway sensitivities so the nose, the eyes and the throat are much more sensitive when exposed to smog. It also affects the pollen as well. Smog has much more carbon dioxide. Plants grow more with carbon dioxide. So when hot and smoggy out, higher pollen release and it actually makes people's allergies much worse."

Over the counter antihistamines are the first line defence. And if they don't work perscription medications can be added to the mix. If seasonal allergies are still not well controlled, there's allergy shots, "Allergy injections actually desensitisize by giving small amounts of the actual allergy item that causes the allergies to increase tolerance and to stop the allergies from occuring."

Brittni isn't at that stage yet. Still, with warmer weather just around the corner, she's knows what's ahead.  

Allergy shots are a longer term treatment. There's preseasonal shots that are given two months ahead of time, and year-round allergy shots which are given over the course of three to five years. Experts say people with severe allergies are better off with the injections because the vast majority don't have to take medication afterwards.

Tuesday April 4, 2006