Spring makes you want to lace up your kicks and go for a jog, stop to smell the tulips and....rub your itchy eyes, sneeze uncontrollably and reach for the tissue, if you suffer from seasonal allergies.

Airborne allergens, the tiny particles such as pollen and mold spores that are carried in the air, trigger allergy symptoms in many people. The most common symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under the eyes

Are you one of the affected who is tired of viewing spring's glory through a window? The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org) recommends the following tips to help you minimize allergy attacks this season:

1. Do a thorough spring cleaning, washing the windows, book shelves, air conditioning vents, and anywhere that dust and mold may collect during the winter months.
    
2. Know peak pollen times and counts in your area, and avoid outdoor activities during those hours.
    
3. Wear a filter mask when mowing or raking the lawn.
    
4. Run the air conditioner inside the house and in the car, instead of opening the windows.
    
5. Remove your shoes, change your clothes and take a shower as soon as you get home. Allergens like pollen stick to fabrics. So, try not to track them throughout your home.
    
6. Dry your clothes indoors for awhile. While environmentally friendly, hanging sheets or clothes outside to dry will expose them to allergens that you’ll bring back into the house.
    
7. Shower nightly to wash off any pollen grains on your face and body. If you can't wash your hair nightly, at least tie it up and away from your face.
    
8. Make an appointment with an allergist/immunologist to see if there's a medication that'll help to control your allergy symptoms.
    
9. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine and/or decongestant, or speak to your doctor about a prescription drug to control your seasonal symptoms. Over-the-counter allergy drugs are effective for many people and there are a range of products from nasal sprays to eye drops to target specific symptoms.
    
10. Bookmark the National Allergy Bureau's Website, www.aaaai.org/nab, for up-to-the-minute pollen and mold counts.