| If you have been or are experiencing any of these | | | | pollen by staying indoors when the pollen counts are |
| symptoms: uncontrollable sneezing, stuffy and runny | | | | high; and avoiding exercising outside in the early |
| nose, watery and itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, | | | | mornings when the pollen count is at its peak. |
| headache, sometimes loss of smell, and sore throat, | | | | Doctors advise that the best treatment would be |
| then you must be suffering from allergic rhinitis. | | | | prevention however if you already have taken |
| Most people who have allergies have a family | | | | preventive measures, there are several treatment |
| member who also has allergies. It is passed in your | | | | options available. There are over-the-counter |
| genes. Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune | | | | medications such as Loratidine and Cetirizine that |
| system overreacts to airborne particles. These | | | | could help you treat your symptoms. There are |
| particles, called allergens, are normally not harmful but | | | | several prescription medications that your allergist can |
| your immune system reacts when it becomes | | | | prescribe to give you relief. Allergy shots are also |
| sensitized with the perception that it is a potentially | | | | available for those who have poorly controlled |
| harmful substance. The immune system is your | | | | symptoms despite taking medications, or if happens |
| shield against harmful viruses and bacteria yet it may | | | | for most of the year, or if you are around to |
| sometimes be over active and react to non-harmful | | | | allergens that are unavoidable. Allergen |
| particles. This hypersensitivity to allergens may | | | | immunotherapy(allergy shots) helps control and |
| produce the allergies symptoms mentioned above. | | | | reduce your allergic reactions by helping your immune |
| Seasonal allergies occur when your allergy symptoms | | | | system become less sensitive to the substances you |
| are flare up during the change of seasons or when | | | | are allergic to.. Through small doses of shots, your |
| pollen counts are high. Perennial allergies occur all | | | | body slowly builds up resistance to your allergies |
| throughout the year and are usually due to exposure | | | | without inducing a severe reaction. They do not only |
| to dust mites, animal dander or cockroach allergen.. | | | | treat the symptoms temporarily but also treat the |
| Allergies may lead to complications such as sinusitis | | | | underlying disease. Immunotherapy would reduce the |
| and ear infections so it is important to take measures | | | | need for expensive medications for years and can |
| to prevent it: cleaning the house to prevent breeding | | | | provide significant savings in the long run. |
| of dust mites and indoor mold; avoiding exposure to | | | | Take care of your health. Act now. |