Q: I am a 46 years old female suffering from allergic rhinitis (pollen allergy). February and March are the worst periods. I cough while lying on bed at night. It is very difficult to manage house / children / cooking during daytime. How can my problem be managed?

A:I am sorry that there is no permanent solution. What you do need to do is start our antialleric medication: antihistaminics, antileukotrienes, and local steroid nasal sprays , before the actual symptoms start and continue throuh the pollen season. The antileukotriese, like montelukast need to be taken for a long time. You could go in for allergy testing, and if 1-2 , or a very few specific allergens are identified, go in for desensittisattion therapy: that would be a perrmanent cure to that allergen only