March is the time of year when spring begins to burst out everywhere. The birds are singing and building nests, the trees are wreathed in green buds and pretty flowers, and the tulips begin to make an appearance. Spring is a beautiful time of year with all the sunshine and fresh air. This is also the time of year that brings misery for millions of people who suffer from pollen allergies. Pollen allergies are generally known as hay fever, and are medically called allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects approximately 10 to 30% of all adults, and around 40% of children. That’s a huge sector of the population suffering from nasal allergies. The main cause of allergic rhinitis is pollen. Scientists believe hay fever has a genetic tendency to be passed on to the offspring of allergic parents. Tree pollen is the main offender in the spring as trees begin pollinating with the warmer temperatures and sunshine. So, how do you go about getting relief for your seasonal allergy symptoms? The doctor might start you on an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medication. There are several very good products available over-the-counter now that used to be available by prescription only just a couple of years ago. If these OTC medications don’t work for you, your doctor will go ahead and give you a more powerful antihistamine that’s only available by prescription. The prognosis is good if you take preventative measures such as exposure avoidance, take any medications prescribed by your doctor, and by following the tips above. By following these measures you will feel better and will be able to enjoy being outdoors in the fresh breezes and warm sunshine of Spring.