(BPT) – For many, spring’s warmer weather is welcomed with spending more time outside. But for allergy sufferers, the season can mean facing symptoms that make them look and feel bad.

TV host, busy mom and longtime allergy sufferer Brooke Burke-Charvet has teamed up again with the makers of non-drowsy Claritin products to share her “My Claritin Clear Challenge”. The new two-minute video shares a sneak peek into Brooke’s daily life and gives an idea of how she’s able to handle some big and small everyday challenges without having to worry about her allergies.

Brooke’s story shows her tackling daily tasks related to family, work and friends that the 40 million Americans who suffer from indoor or outdoor allergies may also face. “Spring is a very busy time for me. I’m back hosting Dancing with the Stars so my TV season is in full swing, my kids are more active and demanding and we love spending as much time outdoors as possible. I certainly don’t have time for allergy symptoms to get in my way,” says Brooke. “That’s why I was happy to take on the challenge. It’s simple, as soon as your allergy symptoms start, take one 24-hour non-drowsy Claritin every day of your allergy season, as long as your triggers remain, for continuous relief or your money back. So for me it’s as long as the pollen keeps flying.”

Common allergy symptoms can include sneezing, runny nose and itchy watery eyes and can really get in the way of people’s everyday lives – impacting sleep, performance at work and other daily activities.

According to a new survey of allergy sufferers commissioned by Merck this year:

* 72 percent of adults with seasonal allergy symptoms admit they don’t feel like themselves when they’re suffering from allergy symptoms, leaving them sluggish, irritable and miserable.

* Allergy symptoms were the cause of almost four missed work days in the past year. The majority of allergy sufferers say it’s hard to concentrate on work when suffering from allergy symptoms and nearly half of allergy sufferers admit to being less productive at the office due to allergy symptoms.

* 51 percent agree they are no fun to be around when they are suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms.

* Seasonal allergy sufferers spend less time exercising (55 percent), cleaning (45 percent), and having a social life (37 percent) than they would like to because of their allergy symptoms.

* And 62 percent of seasonal allergy sufferers’ sleep less during allergy season.

“The good news is there are ways to help manage allergies and relieve symptoms,” says Dr. Robert Eitches, an allergy specialist. Here are some tips to help you survive the spring season:

* Beat the clock: Peak pollen production can occur in early morning, so try to plan outside activities at other times of the day.-

* Wash wisely: If you are going to be outside, it’s a good idea to shower and wash your hair when you return indoors to remove the pollen, which can be an allergy trigger. This prevents it from being transferred to your furniture and linens.

* Check the forecast: People with seasonal allergies should check for pollen counts in their area.- Pollen levels can vary day-to-day depending upon several factors, including the weather.

This spring, Claritin is encouraging allergy sufferers to try the challenge for themselves for continuous relief and is offering a money back guarantee. For more details on the challenge and the money back guarantee, visit www.ClaritinChallenge.com and Brooke’s full story can be seen at YouTube.com/Claritin.

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(BPT) – Humans may sneeze and sniffle when trees and flowers start to bud in the spring, but many pet owners wouldn’t know if their pet was suffering from treatable allergy symptoms, which are likely to occur at the same time of year.

According to the Pet Allergy Worldwide Survey (PAWS) sponsored by Novartis Animal Health, 44 percent of pet owners are unaware that their pet can suffer from chronic seasonal allergies, just like people.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common allergic skin diseases in pets and is estimated to affect 10 to 15 percent of animals. It is also among the top 10 reasons that pet owners take their cats to their veterinarians. The disease is chronic, recurrent and requires lifelong management.

Online quiz sorts out common symptoms

According to the PAWS survey, 80 percent of pet owners would like to know more about how to recognize and treat pet allergies. To determine whether a pet’s symptoms warrant a veterinary visit and possible treatment to relieve the symptoms, pet owners can take a simple online quiz developed by veterinarians at www.itchfreepet.com.

Signs of allergic dermatitis in pets may vary, but common symptoms include red, scaly patches, persistent itching and scratching, and biting or licking of paws. Hair loss and sores are also common, as a result of the itching and scratching, although the pattern for this differs between dogs and cats. By taking this online quiz, pet owners can determine if they should bring their pet to the veterinarian for testing.

What allergens cause these symptoms?

Just like people, dogs and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies to pollen, as well as year-round allergies to dust mites and mold spores. Although the underlying mechanism of the allergic response is similar to what people experience, the symptoms are quite different. People with allergies sneeze, cough and suffer from runny nose, eye irritation and sinus problems. Allergic cats and dogs, by contrast, itch, scratch and lose their hair.

In the past, treatments were limited to creams and steroids, which either caused limited effectiveness or less-than-desirable side effects when used long-term. Today, while there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, there are more options to help animals find relief. Pet owners can ask their veterinarians about the drug that treats the problem from the inside out, at the pet’s cellular level. This treatment, ATOPICA(R) (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED for dogs or ATOPICA (cyclosporine oral solution, USP) MODIFIED for Cats, can reduce the itching and restore comfort to pets. Getting help for an allergic pet may be just one veterinary visit away.

“Allergic dermatitis for some pets means scratching or licking more frequently than what is considered normal, and for other pets it can mean sores and furless patches on the skin or painful paw biting that gets in the way of exercise, sleep and overall comfort for the animal,” says Dr. Keith Hnilica, DVM, MS, MBA, DACVD. “It is important to take your pet to see the veterinarian if you suspect your pet may have allergies, to determine whether it is a candidate for a long-term, comforting solution to this painful condition.”

Visit www.itchfreepet.com to learn more. For specific information on ATOPICA in the U.S., please visit www.us.atopica.com.

Editor’s Note: 

Important Information about ATOPICA (Cyclopsporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED 
As with all drugs, side effects may occur. In a field study, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal signs. Gingival hyperplasia and papillomas may also occur during the initial dosing phase. ATOPICA is a systemic immunosuppressant that may increase the susceptibility to infection. ATOPICA is not for use in reproducing dogs or dogs with a history of neoplasia. Please visit http://www.us.atopica.com/pdf/product-insert.pdf for full prescribing information. 

Important Information about ATOPICA for Cats (cyclosporine oral solution, USP) MODIFIED 
May cause some side effects in individual cats. The most common side effect in clinical trials was vomiting, which in most cases resolved with continued use. Adverse reactions occurred most often with daily dosing. Persistent, progressive weight loss can result in hepatic lipidosis, so monitoring of body weight is recommended during treatment. If you think that your cat is losing weight, you should contact your veterinarian. ATOPICA for Cats may increase susceptibility to infection and to the development of tumors. Please visit http://www.us.atopica.com/pdf/atopica-for-cats-insert.pdf for full prescribing information.

The post Scratching the right itch: Does your pet have seasonal allergies? appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.