Allergy sufferers don't need a calendar to know that the seasons have changed. Sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes from tree pollen are seasonal indicators.

Some allergy sufferers don't go to doctors; instead, they turn to alternative treatments -- from Chinese herbs and tea to bee pollen and acupuncture.

Allergist Aidan Long says none of these alternative treatments has been tested properly and the relief a patient experiences is most likely a placebo response.

A few ways to nip allergies in the bud:

Close home and car winds to keep pollen outdoors

Limit outdoor activity during peak allergy times between 10 and 4, when pollen count is the highest

Shower before bed to prevent pollen from ending up in your sheets

See a doctor; many proven medications exist to help allergy sufferers

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