Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis is commonly known as hay fever. Allergic rhinitis is a complex of symptoms characterized by attacks of sneezing, a runny stuffy nose and postnasal drip, frequent eye irritation, and ear congestion resulting from specific allergic reactions. These symptoms may be limited to one season of the year or they may be perennial, depending on the presence of a specific allergen in the local environment.
Severe nasal obstruction my occur, which can interfere with normal sinus drainage and with the openings of the Eustachian tubes, producing headaches, impaired hearing, and secondary sinus and ear infections. During the allergy season, it is not unusual for a person to complain of fatigue, irritability, and a loss of well-being. Not everyone who has nasal symptoms, however is suffering from allergic rhinitis.

Sources:
Allergy Be Gone	American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology	Auckland Allergy Clinic
Eallergy.net	American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology	bbc.co.uk Health

Books on Allergies

My House Is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families With Allergies and Asthma

Editorial Review
Asthma and allergy sufferers, this book is essential reading: it will answer all your questions about why you suffer in your own home and what you can do to prevent it. May, an air quality investigator and president of a home investigation company, takes you on a tour of your home, both interior and exterior, with a detailed description of the organic and inorganic substances that are making you ill. He covers every room, including the basement, attic, laundry room, garage, heating and air-conditioning system(s), and nooks and crannies that you probably forgot about. He explains how insects, molds, bacteria, yeast, dust, moisture, larvae, pet dander, fabric fibers, smoke, and many other agents can trigger an episode and how to eliminate them permanently.

Reader's Review - A really helpful book
I've read several other books on this topic,plus consulted with a doctor specializing in environmental illness (EI), but I still learned a lot from this book and it's my favorite. Why? Because it's full of practical, doable things YOU can do around your house to make it a healthier environment. Many of the other EI folks want you to tear your house apart, even when there's no evidence that your house is the culprit. This approach makes far more sense. Some patients must, of course, take drastic measures, but many of us do not. Start with this book, then read John and Lynn Bower's books if you need more detail. It's an easy read and cheap. I highly recommend it.