For millions of Americans the arrival of spring is met with mixed emotions. The greening of the trees and the blooming of the flowers are beautiful, but these signs of nature are hard to enjoy through clouds of pollen, itchy, watery eyes and fits of sneezing. If you are one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from "seasonal" allergies, it's time to take action.

"Although most people suffering from allergies are able to handle their conditions with advice from their physician, they must take extra precautions during the height of allergy season to avoid severe reactions," says Dr. Bruce Bonanno of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), a medical society that represents the nation's emergency physicians. "Some allergic reactions are an emergency. You need to seek immediate medical care if your reaction includes shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, severe sweating, faintness, nausea, a rapid pulse or pale, cold, moist skin."

Dr. Bonanno and ACEP believe increasing your knowledge about allergies can help prevent you or a loved one from requiring emergency care for allergy-related attacks.

To help allergy sufferers through this difficult time of year, Dr. Bonanno and ACEP offer the following tips:

Know your allergies. If you and your physician suspect you suffer from allergies, you will be tested to try to determine what is triggering your allergic symptoms.

If you are allergic to pollen and mold, avoid the outdoors on windy days or when you begin to notice symptoms. The wind often stirs up pollen and mold and carries it through the air. It is also a good idea to avoid mowing your lawn, or being near someone who is cutting the grass, if you are allergic to grass or molds.

If you are allergic to pollen, minimize activity outdoors at dawn (5 a.m. to 10 a.m.) when pollen is usually emitted into the air.

Keep car windows closed when you drive. It is also a good idea to use an air conditioner at home.

Avoid hanging laundry outside to dry. Pollen and molds can collect on sheets and clothes.

Visit your physician regularly if you have allergies. The continuing advice of a doctor is crucial to the long-term treatment of allergic conditions. Your physician may recommend drug therapies, allergy shots, or to see a medical specialist with special training in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases.

The Allergy and Asthma

Connection

People with asthma sometimes find their symptoms worsen during allergy season. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 17 million Americans. Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the airways. The inflammation makes the airways smaller, making it more difficult to breathe. Inflammation of the airways in some people can be triggered by their exposure to allergens. Since many of the symptoms of asthma are the same as they are for allergies, physicians use some of the same medications to treat both.

Allergic Reactions to

Insect Bites And Stings

Of course springtime can also mean more time outdoors with insects. Most reactions to insect bites, from bees or ants for instance, are mild and result in short term itching or stinging. Mild reactions can be treated by first removing the stinger if it remains in the skin, and then treating the bite with an ice pack to reduce the pain and swelling.

"If there is any difficulty breathing resulting from an insect bite, or the person is feeling dizzy, or confused, call 911 or go immediately to an emergency department," says Dr. Bonanno. "Severe reactions to insect bites, although not that common, can progress rapidly and should be treated by a physician as soon as possible."

ACEP is a national emergency medicine medical specialty society with more than 23,000 members. ACEP is committed to improving the quality of emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter also represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.