Fight Allergies With Expert Tips

March 14, 2007 — -- Experts say Americans are in for a pollen "superburst" that could wallop much of the country in the next couple of weeks and spell misery for an estimated 40 million allergy sufferers.

Roger Emert, an allergy specialist at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, shared his tips for combating watery eyes and the sniffles on "Good Morning America."

If you've been skin-tested and know what you're allergic to, you should think about taking your medication earlier than you usually do.

Prescription medications are most effective if you take them before symptoms start. The date when people start getting symptoms is typically specific to the person's location, and longtime allergy sufferers know when the symptoms are going to hit.

This year, take your medication about a week or two earlier than you usually do.

Take your medication usually once a day. Nonsedating antihistamines are usually best. If that doesn't take care of the problem, consider using a nasal spray as well.

You should keep windows closed, especially on windy days when dust and pollen blow around, and in the morning when some pollen counts are highest.

Use your air conditioner to filter the air. An air conditioner is sufficient to filter the air of pollen. You don't need an ionizer or a hepafilter; those items are used to filter out indoor allergens, not pollen.