by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

Seasonal allergies can be so frustrating. It can feel like you have two choices: Feel miserable from the allergies or feel miserable from the medication.

Fortunately, though, those aren’t your only options. In “19 Tips From Allergists for How to Prevent and Treat Allergies,” allergists give their tips on dealing with indoor and outdoor allergies—without medication.

If you do need medicine, check out “Allergy Treatment: What Medicines to Take for Allergies—and How to Take Them,” which features an in-depth, practical rundown of your options—and how to use them best.

Do you have allergies? What has helped you?

Pssst … sign up for our free e-newsletter! You’ll get fascinating articles delivered once a month.

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I was scanning the medical news headlines today and I could not stop thinking how misleading some can be, and why you need information like James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor website and magazine, along with like sources, to sort out the confusion.

In just a few minutes, I found:

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Your mother-in-law is coming to visit and she’s ALLERGIC TO YOUR CAT?  Potential disaster on the horizon.  Alleviate situation like this by following some simple tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

President-elect Barack Obama says one of his first priorities will be to obtain a First Dog.

His daughter Malia has allergies and a canine club called the Association of Friends of Hairless Dogs of Peru has offered one they say is hypoallergenic.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology begs to differ, stating there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.  Not only more credible, the AAAI has two less “ofs” in their long name.

Here’s their press release, with my comments and a question below it.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), with the sneezing and watery eyes symptoms it causes, affects 36 million Americans. I think I have seen most of them in my office at one time or another. Many are allergic to ragweed pollen, whose season begins in mid-August and ends after the first frost or two.

Everyone who suffers needs to do and know basic things.

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