"       "This is not unusual," said Dr. Duane Harris, an allergy specialist at Intermountain Allergy and Asthma, which does the state's official pollen count from its collection site in Draper. "It's tree season and that's what we're seeing, although the high grass pollen counts are (here) a little early.""

"       Wednesday, eight different types of pollen were in the high to extremely high range, heralding severe discomfort for allergy sufferers who weren't taking precautions. The high counts included popular trees like maple, oak and birch, and grass pollens, which are a couple weeks early this year."

"       "Trees drive us crazy this time of year," said Harris. "The saving grace is cedar is not very high right now. That tends to be the worst.""

"       And the cedar pollen counts will likely catch up later this month, about the time that grass pollen, cleared out briefly by any cold spell, gets going strong again, he said."

"       Allergy sufferers can take steps to reduce the impact of allergens on their lives, according to Harris. Start with avoidance. If you know what you're allergic to, try to stay away from it. That means people who have grass allergies should get someone else to mow the lawn, for instance."

"       Harris and his colleagues also counsel people who sleep with the windows open to break that habit, especially in the early morning hours when pollination is most active. If you're working outdoors, shower when you come in and launder your clothes then, too. Don't fold them neatly and put them on other things so you're spreading pollen around."

"       On a day when allergies make you miserable, shower before going to bed or you'll be "sleeping in a
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