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Allergy and asthma are among the most common health problems, with more than 50 million Americans afflicted with asthma, seasonal hay fever, or other allergy-related conditions each year.

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Some allergies, such as a mild case of hay fever, may not require any treatment or may be controlled with the occasional use of over-the-counter medications.

Others may interfere with your day-to-day activities, lower your quality of life, or even become life-threatening. In these cases, you should see a physician to help you manage allergies and their symptoms.

Online Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30
Online Source: MedLine Plus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html#cat22
Online Medical Reviewer: Jenkins, Lee
Online Medical Reviewer: Pierce-Smith, Daphne RN, MSN, CCRC, FNP
Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2009
Date Last Modified: 12/3/2008