SATURDAY, March 19, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- It may seem cold now, but in a few short weeks trees, bushes and flowers will bud as allergy season kicks into high gear.
Dr. Bill Dolen, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, says there are four key ways to fight seasonal allergies, however:
- Anticipate. Know when allergies regularly kick in, and be prepared for them.
- Act. Seek relief through medication, rather than suffering with the symptoms.
- Adapt. Limit side effects by changing medications when these effects intrude on your daily life.
- Ask. Don't just self-treat with over-the-counter drugs -- ask a doctor if he might be able to prescribe more appropriate and effective medications. Trained allergist-immunologists can also help identify allergy triggers and work out long-range treatment plans.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about treating allergies.
