Writing this from Dallas, Texas one of the ragweed hotspots of the nation, I'm particularly aware of "allergies" and the havoc they can cause. Here are some tips for handling allergies:

1. Ragweed pollen is probably the largest single seasonal allergen in North America.

It is estimated that a square mile of ragweed plants would release 16 tons of pollen in one season. Even skin contact with ragweed can cause dermatitis.

2. If you know before airborne allergies get worse in your town, you can prepare.

At this site http://www.pollen.com/Pollen.com.asp you can sign up to be alerted in the morning of conditions likely to exceed a trigger point, the point where most allergy sufferers will start to experience symptoms.

3. More than 50 million Americans suffer from Allergies.

4. An allergy is...

... "a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance (called an allergen) which causes the body's defense system (the immune system) to overreact when defending itself. Normally, the immune system would only react if a harmful substance, such as a bacteria, attacks the body. For people with allergies, their own immune system is working too hard, and it reacts even when relatively harmless substances such as pollen are present. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild discomfort to life threatening situations." [Source: www.pollen.com]

5. Probably 25% of your website visitors suffer from allergies.

Here - http://www.pollen.com/Pollen.com.asp - you can get the html to put a pollen alert box on your website - either a zip code entry box or for any town in the U.S.

6. The most extreme allergic reaction is called "anaphylactic shock."

Immediately after contact the individual will suffer difficulty breathing, itchiness, welling of the lips and throat, and drop in blood pressure, and finally collapse. If you've ever suffered anaphylactic shock, you should carry injectable adrenaline from your doctor and keep some at home as well. Have the 911 number handy, and seek medical attention immediately.

7. Subsequent contact with a particular allergen can be much worse than the first time, for instance if you've been stung by a bee.

That's why people sometimes say, "And then all of a sudden ..." I