The task force has spent 18 months looking at everything from ear infections to hay fever to allergic reactions to food and drugs. One of the ways the body responds to the tiny particles that trigger allergies is by producing mucus, which turns out to be a terrific medium for trapping and growing viruses and bacteria. Getting rid of the mucus, which means identifying and treating the allergy, makes it much less likely that you will catch those germs in the first place. The foods that most commonly cause reactions are eggs, milk and peanuts. Treating allergies doesn't necessarily mean taking medication.
Many people find relief simply by changing their environment.
If you can't bear to part with Fido, banning him from the bedroom can make a big difference. If all else fails, there are effective medical treatments. Allergy shots are good at desensitizing patients to grass, tree and weed pollens. Prescription-strength drugs like antihistamines and inhaled corticosteroids damp down the allergic response. So if you feel as though you've had a cold all winter long, have your doctor run a few allergy tests to see if you need something more than chicken soup.