Oh, the pollen, the grass, the trees!
A new poll from Consumer Reports say that 60 percent of allergy sufferers have not been able to stop seasonal misery. A fifth say they missed work because of allergies.
The primary season starts in March and gets really bad in April and May, according to the survey.
Survey respondents said the main strategies were not helping enough. Almost 60 percent had to see a doctor for relief.
If you'd like to see the full survey or get advice on coping, go to www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
"Seasonal allergies affect all parts of the upper respiratory system plus the eyes," said Dr. Marvin Lipman, chief medical adviser for Consumer Reports, in a statement. "There's usually no single magic bullet."
In search of relief, consumers spent some $325 million last year on prescription allergy drugs. The poll found the average sufferer took three kinds of medications; 26 percent took five or more. Some were switching around to find more effective ones or avoid side effects. The most common side effects were drowsiness and dry mouth.
The three main strategies for dealing with allergies were avoidance, over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions. Most successful was avoidance.
Of the drugs, Consumer Reports Health gives steroidal nasal sprays the high marks for treating spring allergies. Very likely to work, the group says, also are OTC antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec and their generic versions. But they often make people sleepy or cause other problems.
Are you suffering? What do you do to cope?
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