It's the spring, which means April showers, May flowers -- and allergies.

For many people, as many as one in five Americans, according to Health magazine "spring fever" is replaced by hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or seasonal allergies.

Allergies are present in the body year-round but become more noticeable in the spring when plants release more allergens, substances that trigger allergies, namely pollen and mold, into the air, University Health Services physician Dr. Edward Rosick said.

"Pollen and mold are the most common allergens," he said.

While the reason people develop allergies to certain substances that are otherwise harmless is unknown, doctors can explain what happens physiologically when the body comes in contact with these substances.

"Cells in the body called mast cells contain a histamine chemical," Rosick said.

"In an allergic reaction, (the allergen) causes the mast cells to release the histamine, which causes a runny nose, watery eyes, or even a rash," Rosick said.

Other symptoms of allergies include sneezing and a dry or scratchy throat, he said.

These symptoms are very similar to those of the common cold, but there are ways to differentiate between the two afflictions.

With allergies one might have a scratchy throat, but not usually a sore throat, which is more indicative of a cold, Rosick said.

"Also with allergies you don't usually get that run-down, tired, achy feeling you get when you have a cold," he said.

Although there is no cure for allergies, allergy shots and medication are both effective in lessening the symptoms.

There are over-the-counter medicines as well as prescription antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, Rosick said.

"Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra all work well," he said.

Alison Herget (freshman-journalism) visited University Health Services when her allergies started interfering with her sleep last semester.

"I had such bad congestion that I kept waking up at night coughing," she said.

Eventually she went to a clinic on campus where she was administered Allegra to take daily in order to diminish the long-term symptoms, as well as Atrovent, a prescription nasal spray, that would provide more immediate relief from congestion.

University Health Services in the Ritenour Building also offers allergy shots, but not testing for allergies.

Patricia Spaulding (junior-business) said her allergies can be very severe and she usually suffers from sore eyes and an itchy throat and nose. Spaulding does, however, take a prescribed medication to lessen her symptoms. It works for about 12 hours, which she likes better than over-the-counter medications, which she said only last 4 to 6 hours.