(NAPSA)—It is possible to manage—and even prevent—the sniffles, sneezes, breathing difficulties and itchy eyes that come from allergies. An estimated 50 outside during peak pollen hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whenever possi- ble. In addition, some medications, over the counter or prescription, million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and most think there isn’t much they can do. But persistent allergies should be treated—not just because they are annoying but because they can lead to other conditions, says Dr. Joshua Riff, Target Corporation’s medical director. While there’s no known cure for allergies, Dr. Riff says symptoms can be treated. Here he clears the air on common allergy misconceptions and shares advice on keeping allergies in check: Common Misconceptions Q.Are allergies a serious health problem? A. Yes. One of the misconceptions about allergies is that they are no big deal. But allergies really disrupt the lives of sufferers and, left untreated, can lead to chronic respiratory diseases including asthma and sinusitis. Q. What other misconceptions do people have about allergies? A. The most common myth about allergies is that there is nothing you can do except put on a brave face and suffer. With some basic knowledge, the right overthe-counter regimen and a medical professional’s care, you can help prevent allergies or decrease the severity of symptoms. Q.Is it really possible to preventallergies? A. Absolutely. As with many common health issues, the No. 1 step is prevention. Just knowing ' a Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. Fortunately, there are easy ways to prevent and treat them. the commontriggers—pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander and cigarette smoke—and avoiding them is one of the best ways to keep allergies at bay. Preventing and Avoiding Triggers Q. How do you avoid triggers that are all around us? A.For allergy triggers like dust mites, it’s important to dust and vacuum weekly and wash and change sheets often. For those who react to pet hair, simply keeping pets out of the bedroom can make a big difference. Adding anair filter to the room also will help. Q.What allergies? about seasonal A. Believe it or not, one of the simplest ways to prevent a reac- tion to pollen triggers is to wash your hands after being outdoors. For people who suffer from grass allergies, studies suggest wearing a face mask and glasses while cutting the lawn or doing other yard work. People with severe pollen allergies may want to avoid going can be taken before allergies develop. This prevents you from suffering and havingto start treatment once your airway passages are already swollen. Q. Whatif prevention doesn’t work? A. If avoiding triggers isn’t enough, a trip to the pharmacy may be in order. Highly effective antihistamines that once required prescriptions are now available over the counter. Allegra is the newest medication to join the nonprescription list. Your pharmacist can help you pick the best product to treat your specific symptoms and triggers. Q.When should I see a doctor? A. If these prevention tactics combined with nonprescription medications don’t help or if your allergies are interfering with your life, it’s time to see your physician for assessment. Must-Have Anti-Allergy Products Dr. Riff suggests stocking up on the following items to prevent, manage andtreatallergies: Allergy-relief antihistamines Air filters to reduce the amountof dander Dehumidifier to help control mold To-go tissue packs Up & up handsanitizer Eye drops Nasal spray Mattress andpillow covers. Visit target.com/pharmacy for more allergy-related products and to find a Target Pharmacy near you.
