Eyes itchy? Nose stuffed up

or runny? Sneezing? If you're one of the 35 million Americans who suffer

from hay fever, you don't need a pollen meter or weather person to tell

you that fall is another allergy season.

Hay fever or allergies occur

when your body detects small particles in the air, such as tree and grass

pollen, pet dander (dandruff), dust mites, and mold spores. Even though

they're harmless to humans, these particles can trigger your body's defense

system. In people with allergies, or allergic rhinitis, the immune system

rallies against them.

Trouble in the air

People with seasonal allergic

rhinitis react to pollen in the air. Trouble starts when flowers and trees

bloom in the spring and summer and when ragweed and grass send off pollen

in the fall. Those with perennial allergic rhinitis suffer year round

when they breathe in pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, or other allergens.

Your doctor may do skin tests

to find out what allergens affect you. The best way to control allergy

symptoms is to avoid the culprits that cause a reaction. Often, that's

impossible.

The closest thing to a cure

for allergies is allergy shots. Your doctor injects extracts of the offending

allergen into your skin over several weeks or months. After a while, your

immune system becomes less sensitive to the allergens that provoke it.

If you're not ready or able

to get injections, plenty of over-the-counter, prescription, and herbal

products promise to ease the sniffling, sneezing, watery eye response.

A precision attack

Nonprescription allergy medications

usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, or a combination of both.

Pick a remedy that treats only the symptoms you get to minimize your exposure

to the drugs and their side effects. Check with your doctor if you have

bladder or prostate problems before using these medications, and always

read the label.

For sneezing, a runny nose,

and watery, itchy eyes, try an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as

diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton),

and clemastine (Tavist-1). These products can cause dry mouth and drowsiness,

so keep away from antihistamines if you're driving or operating heavy

equipment. Don't use them if you have bronchitis, glaucoma, or difficulty

urinating.

For a stuffy nose, try a decongestant

such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Check with your doctor first if you

have high blood pressure or diabetes, since decongestants can temporarily

worsen these conditions.

For itchy, red eyes, relief

can come in eye drops containing pheniramine or naphazoline (Opcon-A),

which combine the benefits of an antihistamine and a decongestant. They

may aggravate conditions for people with glaucoma.

For sneezing or a runny or

itchy nose, try nasal sprays such as cromolyn (NasalCrom). Head off symptoms

before they start. For example, begin using cromolyn at least a week before

you normally notice allergy symptoms in the spring or fall. It turns off

the allergic process in the nose, but may take a few days to kick in.

Cromolyn causes few side effects andan advantage over antihistaminesit

won't make you drowsy.

Hair of the dog

While some plants cause allergies,

others can help relieve them. One study found that a type of nettle can

reduce sneezing and itching, but it hasn't yet been tested against over-the-counter

or prescription allergy remedies.

Side effects are rare for people

who take the recommended dose of 250 to 500 mg of leaf extract two or

three times daily. Large amounts of nettle may upset your stomach or cause

skin irritation.

Some people take another herb,

feverfew, to control symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Possible side effects

of feverfew include stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea.