"Ideally, you should try to avoid allergens but this isn't always a realistic option, especially when you're surrounded by airborne allergens such as pollen," explains Dr. Robert Overholt, an allergist with a private practice in Knoxville, TN, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "Fortunately, there are effective medications to treat nasal allergies and relieve those bothersome symptoms," added Dr. Overholt.

According to the World Health Organization and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, anti-inflammatory nasal sprays (also known as intranasal corticosteroids) are considered a first-line therapy for allergic rhinitis (or nasal allergies). Experts recognize intranasal corticosteroids as a highly effective medication class for controlling nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.(2)

A recent survey of 1,065 adults conducted February 21 - 25, 2002, by Harris Interactive on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline revealed that while most Americans recognize that nasal allergies affect many adults throughout the year, only 28% of the adults surveyed responded that they believe prescription nasal sprays are highly effective at treating nasal allergies.(3)

"The challenge that we're finding in my practice is that patients are not aware of highly effective treatment options," added Dr. Overholt. "Anti- inflammatory nasal sprays, such as FLONASE, help treat the underlying cause of nasal allergy symptoms, nasal inflammation, by placing the medication directly at the site of inflammation -- in the nose."

The first step in the management of nasal allergies is avoidance when possible. Dr. Overholt suggests some practical tips, such as: 1) When the pollen count is exceptionally high, spend more time indoors, in an air-conditioned room; 2) When driving, keep your car windows closed and your air-conditioner on; 3) Avoid walks through parks or gardens and hiking through the woods.

For those people with nasal allergy symptoms, Dr. Overholt recommends seeing an allergy specialist, who may prescribe medication, such as antihistamines, decongestants and/or intranasal corticosteroids to help allergy sufferers find relief even in the worst allergy seasons.

What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis-commonly known as "hay fever" or nasal allergies-is the most common of the allergic diseases(4) and is characterized by an inflammatory cascade, which involves a reaction to foreign substances -- usually airborne - that have entered the body. Allergic rhinitis causes the inside of the nose to become inflamed and irritated resulting in such nasal allergy symptoms as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and nasal itching.(5) The Harris poll reveals that the role of inflammation is commonly misperceived and only one-third of people surveyed believed that inflammation is a characteristic of nasal allergies.(6)

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most prevalent and chronic diseases in the United States, affecting up to 40 million people annually, including 10 to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children.(7) Numerous studies show that prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis have increased over the past two to three decades, with the greatest increases appearing in children and young adults.(8) Despite the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the pediatric population, this disease is often overlooked or undertreated.(9)

The Nation's Allergy IQ Survey Results

* 45% of the adults surveyed reported that they have been diagnosed with some type of allergy.

- Of respondents with nasal allergies, 81% reported that they are allergic to pollen (grass, trees, weeds.); 51% say that their symptoms are worse during the spring.(10) Seasonal allergic rhinitis is triggered by airborne allergens such as tree, grass and weed pollens. Tree and grass pollens are at their worst in the spring season.(11)

* Only one-third (34%) of adults surveyed said they believe that inflammation is a characteristic of allergies. According to the World Health Organization, inflammation may be the root cause of nasal allergies.(12)

* 93% of adults surveyed said they believe that if left untreated, allergic rhinitis can lead to other illnesses.

- Approximately 87% felt that if left untreated, allergic rhinitis can lead to a sinus infection; nearly half of adults (48%) believe that untreated allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies can lead to asthma. Allergic rhinitis and asthma frequently co-exist in patients, and there is evidence that allergic rhinitis is a risk factor for asthma.(12)

The FLONASE Top 25 Worst Spring Allergy Cities

According to Multidata/SDI,(13) of the 100 markets evaluated, the Top 25 Worst Spring Allergy Cities based on the most prevalent spring allergens and the percentage of population affected are, in order:

Rank City Predominant Pollens Population Affected By Allergies

1 Tampa, FL Grass, Oak, Cedar 765,834 2 Louisville, KY Grass, Oak, Box Elder 347,588 3 Orlando, FL Oak, Cedar, Grass 592,088 4 Rochester, NY Birch, Oak, Ash 214,076 5 Greensboro, NC Birch, Oak, Hickory 321,768 6 San Francisco, CA Elm, Alder, Oak 1,591,727 7 Las Vegas, NV Elm, Alder, Grass 356,166 8 Austin, TX Cedar, Oak, Grass 321,509 9 Little Rock, AR Oak, Hickory, Grass 343,143 10 Savannah, GA Birch, Oak, Hickory 164,295 11 Dallas, TX Cedar, Oak, Grass 1,401,839 12 Wilmington, DE Birch, Box Elder, Oak 73,139 13 Greenville, SC Oak, Hickory, Birch 416,106 14 Charleston, WV Birch, Box Elder, Oak 277,950 15 Seattle, WA Ash, Birch, Alder 976,385 16 Cincinnati, OH Birch, Box Elder, Oak 441,664 17 Tulsa, OK Cedar, Oak, Grass 329,906 18 Indianapolis, IN Birch, Oak, Box Elder 511,910 19 Charlotte, NC Oak, Hickory, Birch 485,704 20 Knoxville, TN Oak, Hickory, Birch 266,050 21 Nashville, TN Oak, Hickory, Birch 491,970 22 Dayton, OH Birch, Box Elder, Oak 274,804 23 Lubbock, TX Cedar, Oak, Grass 108,447 24 St. Louis, MO Birch, Box Elder, Oak 687,735 25 Washington, DC Oak, Ash, Birch 1,150,386