This year allergies are at an unprecedented high due to mild weather.

Even people who normally do not suffer are complaining that they are experiencing symptoms now. Experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction is not only painful and frustrating for the sufferer, it has a tremendous economic cost as well.

According to some statistics people in the US only have already spent over 1 billion dollars on allergy medicine so far. The good news is the new antihistamines do not have the side effects of the older drugs.

You can take Claritin or Alavert without being drowsy at all. If the most serious symptom you are experiencing is nasal congestion you are better off with just a nasal spray – Flonase or Nazonex. Even better, now there is a fragrance free, water based Rhinocort Aqua.

A lot of people are worried about the side effects of steroids, but the fact is that from nasal spray and inhalers (for asthma) very little steroids if any at all get into the blood stream. The steroid from sprays and inhalers go exactly where they are needed – to the badly irritated tissue.

Another important thing to do to ease the suffering from allergies is to watch the pollen count if you have seasonal allergies. Do not spend much time outdoors on days with high pollen count.