SUNDAY, March 7, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- If you're allergic to pollen, you'd better start praying for rain.
The spring allergy season is just around the corner, and 35 million allergy sufferers in the United States are getting out their handkerchiefs in preparation.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), trees start pollinating as early as January in the south and as early as March in the northern states. That pollen is responsible for much allergy misery. Grasses don't start to pollinate until about May.
Spring rains literally wash the pollen and other allergens out of the air, so you can breathe easier -- at least for a while.
You can't control the weather, but you can control what you do. The AAAAI has these tips for reducing your misery level this allergy season:
More information
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a Q & A on allergies.