Almost one in ten Americans suffers from some form of seasonal allergy - and almost twice as many have other forms of nasal allergies or "allergic rhinitis." If you are among these fifty million-plus sneezing, sniffling, stuffed-up, red-eyed allergy victims, Jane Brody brings you good news: You don't have to take it anymore. Jane Brody's Allergy Fighter is a clear, compact, completely up-to-date guide to understanding the causes of the allergies that plague you, and the actions that you and your doctor can take now to prevent and relieve their symptoms. Among the topics covered: how allergies happen and what substances cause or exacerbate them; strategies you and your children can use to avoid allergy-causing substances; the peak allergy seasons across the country--and the near-uselessness of current pollen count readings; understanding the vast array of antihistamines, decongestants, and topical sprays, both over-the-counter and prescription--what they can and can't do and their side effects; allergy shots--how they work and when to have them; ways that outdoor exercisers can minimize exposure to allergy-causing substances; and special strategies for treating allergies in children.