Los Angeles Spring is here and with that often comes sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing. All signs that allergy season is in full swing. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 19 million adults and 8 million children in the United States have seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. This results in more than 14 million doctor¹s visits each year. "Weather can be a big factor in determining the severity of allergy season," says Sheila Bonilla, M.D., director of the University of Southern California¹s Clinical Allergy and Asthma program. "Here in Southern California, allergy season can start as early as January. Rain showers can contribute to worsening allergen counts because pollen allergens and mold particles increase." Hay fever is caused by pollen from seasonal plants or mold particles from rotten wood, leaves or soil that can trigger the body´s immune system to release a chemical called histamine into the bloodstream. The histamine causes swelling and inflammation to prevent the pollen from further entering the body. Symptoms include sneezing, runny noses, irritated eyes and fatigue. Generally, people are born with a genetic disposition for seasonal allergies and will develop symptoms of hay fever before reaching the age of 30 years old. "Typically over-the-counter antihistamine medications, including Benadryl and Claritin, are effective in alleviating allergy symptoms," say Bonilla. "I highly discourage my patients from using over-the-counter nasal decongestants unless properly instructed by their doctor." When over-the-counter medications do not address the symptoms, prescription medications such as corticosteroid nasal sprays are effective in reducing inflammation and stopping the body from initiating its allergy mechanisms. In extreme cases, allergy desensitization injections or immunotherapy may be recommended to help strengthen the body´s tolerance for certain allergens. Bonilla suggests seeing your doctor on a regular basis as a part of your health routine. "Definitely go see a doctor when you cannot tolerate your allergy symptoms anymore and over-the-counter medications are not working. If you´re pregnant or have asthma, see your doctor right away for treatment."