Allergist now available in Cache County

By Mikala Lindhardt

 

 

In a county where agriculture plays a role in livelihood, allergies can be a problem, but traveling to find treatment is no longer a struggle in Cache County.

 

Four months ago Dr. Scott Dickson’s started working as Cache County’s first allergist and the clinic has been working to serve more clients.

 

“I’m not as busy as I would like to be, but that is to be expected with starting a new practice,” Dickson said.

 

Dickson and his staff see about seven patients daily, but hope to increase that number to 15 in the next few months.

Before July, Logan Regional Hospital had been looking to employ an allergist for the Budge Clinic because of the demand in the valley. The closest allergist was previously in Ogden.

 

“The main reason Logan was looking to recruit and hire an allergist was for residents’ convenience,” Dickson said.

 

Dickson said he has seen patients who have been suffering from allergies for years and now because of the convenient location they can be treated.

 

Local doctors and physicians are trained to deal with mild to moderate allergies and asthma, but a certified allergist allows for more services such as a methacholine challenge, patch testing, skin testing and drug challenges are offered to patients without the travel.

 

Alecia Lee, a resident of Cache County, is grateful for the convenient care that is offered with having an allergist.

 

“I’m able to go outside and go on hikes now,” Lee said. “I am able to enjoy being outdoors and not worry about my allergies acting up because of the care I have been provided.”

 

Dickson, originally from Cache Valley, is looking forward to the coming years as he serves the public.

“I think over time more people will learn about our clinic and we will be able to help more people,” he said.