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Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is a problem for about 35 million Americans. Sneezing, stuffy or runny noses, itchiness in your eyes, throat, ears - all of these are normal for those suffering from allergies caused by pollen or mold. Allergies have their root in your immune system. While normally you and your immune system get along just fine, with you getting better after it fights off infection, sometimes it can cause discomfort when it misidentifies pollen or mold as an invader. The allergens in the air in the spring cause your immune system to produce antibodies that cause allergic reactions. Seasonal allergies caused by pollens or mold are tricky to predict. While you may normally get hay fever in the spring, it may be different from year to year because of your location or because of the weather. For example, rainy weather often keeps the pollen count down. Hot, dry or windy weather can cause allergens to travel further, so even if you don't live in a place with ragweed, you may get ragweed in certain years (in other words, moving to a new area of the country won't necessarily make your allergies go away.) Contact with other allergens can make you more sensitive to the allergens in the air. Allergies can be caused by genetics, so often the only course is to find a treatment. Sometimes this can be as simple as taking antihistamines like zyrtec allergy medicine for a couple of months each year and staying inside as much as possible. Sometimes an allergist will recommend immunotherapy or allergy shots that will help to keep your immune system in check. However, there are a few more things you can do to minimize your exposure to allergens. Close your windows and use the air conditioner. This will help to clean and dry the air, which will both filter it and prevent mold growth. Stay inside when pollen counts are high, and wear a pollen mask if you must be outside for long periods. Don't mow the lawn or rake leaves. It will stir up allergens. Take medications prescribed by your allergist as recommended. You don't have to be miserable with allergies.
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