Allergy Facts Washington DC

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(NC)-Sneezing. watery eyes, runny nose - sound familiar? Seasonal allergies are back with a vengeance this spring, causing people all over Canada to head indoors and away from pesky pollen. In fact, more than 9 million Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies.

Here are some fast facts about the allergic reactions we love to hate:

• Exposure to allergens when the body's defenses are weakened (such as after a viral infection like a cold or the flu, during puberty, or during pregnancy) may contribute to the development of allergies.

• People with year-round allergies are more likely to have developed them as adults

• Women are more likely than men to have year-round allergies

• Ever wonder what causes that allergic reaction? When you come into contact with an allergen, your body produces a substance called histamine, which causes allergy symptoms. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine; antihistamines like Reactine can start to work in as little as 20 minutes and just one dose can provide allergy symptom relief for a full 24 hours.

• If one of your parents has allergies, you have a 30 - 50 per cent chance of developing allergies. This increases to 60 - 80 per cent if both your parents have allergies.

• Allergy symptoms can actually lessen as you get older

- News Canada