Great Question and timely.  Allergies present at different times in the US and are weather related.  Most allergies are a body's reaction or "hypersensitivity" to something in the environment, food, medicine.  there can be good years and bad years and start at any age.  Family history, childhood eczema, food intolerance early on and male sex are some of the predisposing factors.

First mark on your calendar when symptoms and signs first appeared so that the next year you are not caught off guard. Second, get rid of rugs, stuffed toys, plants and other things in a bed room that allow for allergies to penetrate.  Animals out of the bedroom.  Third, air purifiers are fine--change the filters from time to time.  fourth, when kids are finished playing outdoors, strip down in the laundry room and don't bring the dirty clothes into the bedroom.  Finally, shower before bed to get rid of pollen in the hair etc..  Some families also put plastic mattress and pillow covers under the sheets and pillow case to prevent dust mites as well. Close windows and use an electrostatic filter on your A/C.

Over the counter medicines usually do the trick if all else fails.  Using saline or salt water nasal washes also help.

It has been wet in most of the country so we will have great pollen.  Good luck!

Wayne Yankus, MD, FAAP
expert panelist: pediatrics