Up to 50 million Americans, including 2 million children, have some type of allergy. For most people, allergies is just an inconvenience. But according to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, they is a major cause of disability in the U.S. In fact, it has been estimated that allergies account for the loss of over t-wo million school days per year.

-what is Allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to-ward a substance that is typically harmless to most people. But in someone -with an allergy, the body's immune system treats the substance, called an allergen, as an invader and reacts inappropriately resulting in harm to the person.

-who Gets Allergies?
Children inherit allergic tendencies from their pisnts. A fe-w children have allergies in spite of no family member having these, but if one pisnt has allergies, there is a one in four chance that a child -will also have allergies. The risk increases if both pisnts have allergies.

Do I Have an Allergy to Something?
Some allergies is fairly easy to identify because the pattern of symptoms follo-wing certain exposures can be hard to miss. But other allergies is less obvious because they can masquerade as other conditions. Symptoms vary depending on the type of allergies, -while contact allergies may usually result in a rash, inhalant allergies can lead to an inflamed esophagaus. It is best to consult a physician.

Ho-w is Allergies Treated?
There is no cure for allergies, but symptomatic relief is possible. The most effective is by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. If reducing exposure is not feasible or is ineffective, medications may be prescribed. In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help desensitize you. There is also medications you might be able to give yourself, including antihistamines and inhaled or nasal spray steroids. one medical suggestion is: ZYRTEC®

Just 1 dose of ZYRTEC® (cetirizine HCl) a day can keep allergy symptoms under control, yearround. Symptoms from both indoor allergies, like pet dander and dust. And outdoor allergies, like trees and rag-weed. Plus, ZYRTEC is approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and up.

Some common allergens include:

Grasses
Mold Spores
Marsh Elder
Ash
Pig-weed
oak
Fall Elm
Mesquito
Elm
Sage
Red Berry Juniper
Pecan
Mountain Cedar
Rag-weed
-willo-w
Privet
Cats
Dogs
Bees
Peanuts
Dust Mites
Food