Survey Reveals Allergies Show No Boundaries,  No Matter Where You Live

New Allergy Brochure Offers Regional Guide to Spring Allergy Sufferers

NEW YORK, March 16 / PRNewswire -- According to a nationwide survey released today, people with allergies throughout the United States suffer and cope with their symptoms in similar ways, despite where they live. 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(R) (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.

There is little variation among the percentage of Americans in each area of the country who identified themselves as seasonal allergy sufferers. Percentages ranged from 49 percent in the Western region to 61 percent in the Mid-Atlantic.

"Although the spring allergy season is fairly predictable from year to year, the severity of a particular season can be greatly affected by local and regional patterns," said Ira Finegold, MD, Chief of Allergy at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York. "The best way to treat any kind of allergy is to try to avoid what you are allergic to. With airborne pollen, that probably will not be possible all the time, but there are steps allergy sufferers can take to limit exposure and reduce symptoms."

Seasonal and Year-Round Allergens

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. Weed pollen season can start in April in the West and in Florida but hits in June or July in the rest of the country.

Within the year, there are variations for specific allergens. For example, in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, birch and oak trees are the top pollen producers, becoming active in March through May. In contrast, in states such as Texas and Oklahoma, juniper and cedar trees are most prevalent, becoming active in November. In the Pacific region, spring season starts as early as January, with alder trees producing the most pollen through May.

While more than half of the 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. Allergy sufferers can visit http://www.allergy-info.com, to receive a free, weekly "Allergy Gram" via e-mail, which shows the latest pollen counts in their areas and explains the meaning of the pollen count.

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.

New Allergy Brochure

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 avoiding allergens and managing symptoms

-- Important Web site and hotline resources that offer local pollen counts

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

Broader Implications of Allergies

Allergies affect sufferers psychologically as well as physiologically, according to the survey. More than 62 percent of seasonal allergy sufferers indicated their symptoms flared up at least three to four times a week. Some respondents even reported feeling desperate, miserable, agitated, worthless, and sluggish. Another respondent described, "my head feels like a balloon."

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, Dr. Finegold 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."

About Zyrtec(R) (cetirizine HCl)

Zyrtec is the only leading prescription antihistamine approved for the treatment of 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.

Complete prescribing information for Zyrtec(R) is available at http://www.zyrtec.com/aboutz-pack-frame.html

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted by International Communications Research (ICR), a leading research firm with extensive experience designing and implementing thousands of customized marketing research studies for both consumer goods and business-to-business services companies. Interviews were conducted from November 24 to December 30, 1999. A total of 2,652 interviews were conducted. The research entailed a telephone interview insert in nine waves of ICR's EXCEL^sm Omnibus. Each EXCEL^sm wave includes a random sample of approximately 1,000 adults (18+ years of age); half male, half female. A quota of 300 allergy sufferers who medicate their symptoms per each of the seven regions were designated, for a total of 2,100 completed interviews for the "core" of the questionnaire.

About Pfizer Inc and UCB Pharma

Pfizer Inc is a research-based global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medicines for humans and animals. The company reported revenues of more than $13.5 billion in 1998 and spent more than $2.2 billion on research and development. In 1999, Pfizer celebrated its 150th anniversary.

UCB Pharma, Inc. is a global, research-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of diseases associated with the central nervous system and allergy-immunology. The company's research activities aim to promote well-being and quality of life. UCB Pharma, Inc., with U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, Georgia, is a member of the UCB Group of companies, which has core businesses in pharmaceuticals and films. Group sales were $1.8 billion for 1998. UCB employs approximately 8,500 people and operates in more than 100 countries. Worldwide headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.

Contact: Lisa Kim of Ogilvy PR, 212-880-5274