Taking Control Of Your Allergies (NAPSA}—Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States—andthat’s nothing to sneeze at. The runny nose, sneezing, congestion,itchy and watery eyes and itchy throat caused by seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever) affect 35 million Americans. These symptoms are more than annoying, they can make daily activities a challenge. With the numberof seasonal allergy cases steadily rising over the past 20 years, consumers need to have a plan. That is why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is introducing a nationwide Allergy Action Plan campaign to help people recognize, prevent and safely treat allergy symptoms with overthe-counter and prescription medications. On the educational Web site—www.allergyaction plan.com—people can use a simple self-screening tool for seasonal allergies and create a personal Allergy Action Plan, complete with prevention and treatmenttips. “Taking control of allergies will help manypeople get back to their daily lives,” says Sheryl Lucas, M.D., practicing allergist and board memberof the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “The first step toward managing allergy symptoms is a simple one—visit www.allergyaction plan.com and get started on a personal Allergy Action Plan.” A critical part of the Allergy Action Plan is learning to check the local allergy forecast to prepare for allergy symptoms before they strike. It’s not just the amount of pollen in the air that triggers allergy symptoms—the type of pollen and the weather also play a role. The local allergy allergy action plan @ A Web site has been created to help allergy sufferers recognize, prevent and treat their allergy symptoms. forecast on www.allergyaction plan.com takes the standard pollen forecast one step further and actually predicts the likelihood that the pollen levels in an area will cause allergy symptoms. In some cases, the best prevention steps will not be enough and people may need to treat their allergy symptoms with over-thecounter or prescription medication. “New over-the-counter allergy medications, like Alavert™ and Claritin", make allergy symptom relief more convenient and may appeal to people who don’t want the sleepy effect that can be caused by other non-prescription medications,” says Dr. Lucas. “Over-the-counter medication can effectively control seasonal allergies for many people if symptoms persist, however, the person should contact their doctor.” To create a personalized Allergy Action Plan, visit www.allergyactionplan.com. Allergy Action Plan is an educational inititative from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America that is made possible by an educational grant from Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, the makers ofAlavert™.
