At the very least, he or she may be able to help identify the problem and prescribe medications that can help. Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec are a few of the many available. And if you start soon enough, you may also get a series of desensitization injections. Once the sinuses are blocked, mucus can't drain properly and drips into the lower respiratory tract, causing bronchitis and asthma. Asthma kills 5,000 people a year.
Food allergies are no joke either.
About 5 million Americans have them and an estimated 100 to 125 die every year, typically from a reaction called anaphylactic shock, in which blood pressure falls, you lose consciousness, and may develop hives, wheezing, vomiting and diarrhea, and severe shortness of breath. The flip side of all this is that there's lots you can do to minimize allergies. And at least so far, there's no evidence that anybody is allergic to reindeer. Consider getting an artificial tree instead. Or eat before you go.