When your immune system is hypersensitive to something that would otherwise cause you minimal harm, we call it an “allergic reaction.” Millions of dollars are spent annually – usually starting around the beginning of Spring – by allergy sufferers looking for relief in the form of various over-the-counter antihistamine pills and potions. Before you turn the kids' college fund over to Pfizer, I urge you to look into some more natural approaches of corralling your allergies.

Start by keeping the outside, outside. Make the air inside your home a haven from air-born allergens. Air filters are available in your local home goods store that are designed to be installed in your furnace and air conditioning systems. These can remove 90 to 95 percent of particles from your indoor air. Keep the doors and window closed when the pollen count is high.

Leave your shoes at the door, and take a shower. Every time you come inside, you are bringing bits and pieces of the allergens you cannot control into an environment that you can control, contaminating it. Your shoes, hair, skin and clothes will be covered with everything you have closed your windows to keep out. Taking a shower and changing your clothes will help wash away any allergens. Leaving your shoes at the door will help keep you from tracking allergens through your home.

And when you know you are going to be in thick of an outdoor allergen fest, wear some protection. When you are vacuuming, mowing, or raking, don an N95 respirator mask, which is available at most drugstores and medical supply stores. It will block 95 percent of the small particles you would otherwise be inhaling.

Use a nasal rinse to clean the mucus from your nose. It can also help decrease postnasal drip.

Keep your home clean. Avoid cleaning with chemicals that can irritate your nasal passages and aggravate your allergy symptoms. Instead, try ordinary household products like vinegar or baking soda. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to trap allergens.

Drink more fluids. Drinking extra liquid can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages and may give you some relief. Drinking hot fluids such as teas, broth, or soup may be especially helpful as they add the benefits of steam.

And speaking of steam, try some steam. Inhaling steam is a simple way to relieve nasal congestion and can ease breathing when you have allergies. Sit over a hot bowl or sink full of water and place a towel over your head to trap the steam. Or sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running.