Featurette -Allergies

Does Where You Live Have An Impact On Your Allergies?

(NAPSA)- People with allergies throughout the United States suffer and cope with their symptoms in similar ways, despite where they live, according to a new nationwide survey. While 88 percent believe their region of the country either has some or great impact on their seasonal allergies, the truth is that there is no allergy-free region. Seasonal allergy sufferers in all parts of the country are affected; in fact, 74 percent are affected by more than one type of allergen.

A total of 2,100 allergy sufferers in seven different regions across the country were asked about their allergies. The survey was funded by Pfizer Inc and UCB Pharma, the makers of Zyrtec¨ (cetirizine HCl), a medication for both year-round indoor and outdoor allergies. When asked to choose one state where they could escape their allergy symptoms, nearly 30 percent of respondents selected Arizona. Ironically, even the Southwest region has many outdoor allergens; during the spring, ragweed and grass pollens are in the air, along with pollens from juniper, cedar, pine, spruce and elm trees.

In order to get relief from their allergies, sufferers in each region of the country have taken extreme measures. Some respondents said relocating to a different climate was their main defense against allergies. Many decided that alternative means of alleviating their symptoms were necessary, such as "putting soap up my nose to wash out the pollen" or "lying with my head over the couch, upside down, on my back."

While these methods may be helpful to those individuals, Ira Finegold, M.D., Chief of Allergy at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York, said there are other strategies, including medical treatment options that can substantially improve one's ability to cope with allergies.

"Although the spring allergy season affects millions of Americans," Dr. Finegold said, "it is possible to prevent or reduce symptoms with advance planning and timely information about particular conditions throughout the country."

One tool consumers can use to better manage their symptoms is a new brochure, How Unique Are Your Allergies? A Regional Guide to Understanding Your Allergies. The brochure is specifically designed to address the needs of allergy sufferers in each region of the country. It contains practical information to start allergy sufferers on a plan for enjoying their spring, including:

¥ Specific information about the spring allergy season in the U.S., divided into nine geographic areas;

¥ Tips for preventing and managing symptoms; and

¥ Important Web site and hotline resources that offer local pollen counts.

Allergy sufferers can obtain the brochure by calling 1-877-616-1602.

The timing and types of outdoor allergens vary from one region to another. With respect to pollens, grass pollen season usually begins in March in the West and along the Gulf Coast; it does not begin until April in much of the Southeast and in May for the northern half of the U.S.

While more than half of allergy sufferers surveyed are affected by one or more types of pollen, nearly 75 percent of respondents said they never checked pollen counts. By learning their local pollen count, sufferers may be able to determine the height or start of the spring allergy season. This can help prepare them to adjust their schedules for spending more time indoors or seeing a doctor to discuss treatment options.

Of course, indoor allergy triggers such as dust mites and pet dander are year-round concerns. In addition, most people with allergies have more than one.

The best way to treat allergies is to find out about them early, avoid the things you're allergic to, and if your doctor recommends it, take medication accordingly. There are a variety of treatment options including over-the-counter remedies, prescription medicines, and allergy shots. One option is Zyrtec¨ (cetirizine HCl), the only leading prescription antihistamine approved to treat both year-round indoor and outdoor allergies. It is also safely used in children as young as two years old. Taken once daily, with or without food, Zyrtec offers 24-hour, long-lasting relief of the symptoms associated with allergies. One single 5 or 10 mg daily dose of Zyrtec begins to work fast. Relief was seen in 60 minutes, based on studies in an artificially controlled pollen environment.

In Zyrtec studies, side effects were mild or moderate, including drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth in adults and drowsiness, headache, sore throat and stomach pain in children. Drowsiness occurred in between 11 percent and 14 percent in adults, depending on dose, compared to 6 percent taking placebo. In children, drowsiness occurred in between 2 percent and 4 percent, depending on dose, compared to 1 percent taking placebo.

This survey was conducted by International Communications Research and was funded by Pfizer Inc and UCB Pharma, the makers of Zyrtec.

Call 1-877-616-1602 to receive a free regional guide to spring allergies.