It’s that time of the year again when spring brings forth all her colorful glory — including a host of allergens that can make hay fever sufferers miserable.

“It’s definitely pollen season,” Dr. Andy Nish,an allergy and asthma specialist from Gainesville, Ga., tells Newsmax Health. “And while we can help control our immediate environment, pollens can blow in from miles away to make our lives miserable.”

Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year.

Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, is a common condition that causes symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose or the roof of the mouth.

“It’s estimated that between 10 and 30 percent of adults have allergic rhinitis and that in any given year, approximately 20 million adults are diagnosed with hay fever. It appears that hay fever, along with other allergic diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergies are increasing over time,” says Nish.

You can try using antihistamines when the pollen spikes and a nasal steroid prior to the onset of your seasonal woes, says Nish. But some holistic experts say that natural remedies may be just as effective without the potential side effects of decongestant medications.

Dr. Natasha Turner, New York Times bestselling author of “The Supercharged Hormone Diet” and founder of Clear Medicine Wellness Boutique in Toronto, says allergies are on the up rise because of stress, digestive issues, and immune system imbalances.

“It’s important to eliminate dairy and gluten products from your diet to reduce allergic tendency and burden on the immune system,” she tells Newsmax Health. “Also remove all sources of sugar and increase protein to support healthy immune system function.”

Allergies can be nasty — even deadly — say experts.

“When a person with an allergy encounters the offending substance, the immune system interprets it as the enemy,” Dr. Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., tells Newsmax Health. “To help ward off the intruder, the human body activates antibodies and releases a substance called ‘histamine.’ Allergy medications are called antihistamines because they attempt to turn off this natural, albeit overzealous body reaction.

Continue reading here: Six Natural Ways to Help You Beat Allergy Season