Whether patients are coping with allergies caused by seasonal,
nonseasonal, or food allergens, pharmacists can help patients
prevent and manage their bothersome symptoms. Like an unwelcome
guest, many allergens arrive with little warning. Their most
common effects are all too familiar to the millions suffering
from allergies: itchy nose, eyes, and roof of the mouth; runny
or stuffy nose; watery eyes; sneezing; ear fullness and popping;
hives; cough; and sinus headache. Allergies are either seasonal
(eg, caused by tree and plant pollen) or nonseasonal (eg, caused
by dust). Mold, animal dander, dust, and pollen are the most
common allergens. Many studies suggest food allergies have
increased in the past 10 to 20 years. Nevertheless, food
allergies are frequently confused with other conditions; up to
90% of those with presumed food allergies do not have true food
allergies. 1 In December 2010, the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases released its first guidelines diagnosing
and managing food all