Two area experts answer True or False to some allergy questions

The Rochester metropolitan area ranked 32nd worst among places to live with spring allergies this year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. That group ranks the 100 largest metropolitan areas based on pollen in the air, amount of prescription allergy medications taken per patient and number of board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients.

Answer: False. "The cat hair itself is not a problem," says Dr. Douglas Jones, an allergist with Rochester General Health System. "The chemical protein that cat-allergy people are allergic to is found in the saliva of cats and their dander. When cats groom, they get saliva over their fur. When it dries, it distributes invisibly as a fine powder through the house and air, and it is this that people are allergic to."

Answer: True, but not guaranteed. Years ago, it was standard practice to avoid dust, mold and animals for children with a strong family history of allergies. But Jones points out that newer research shows that babies born with a tendency for allergies become tolerant rather than allergic when exposed early. Hartel says it's still controversial whether having animals in early childhood is protective. But it is clear that children who grow up on farms have less asthma and allergies than urban and suburban children. 7. If you keep taking the same brand of antihistamine medication, it will stop working.

Answer: False. Daily treatment can reduce allergies and asthma. Your allergy symptoms may vary over time, so some days you're asking more of the medicine than before, says Hartel. By contrast, nasal decongestants have a rebound effect, meaning symptoms can worsen once you stop using them, Hartel adds.

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