Dr. Singla:

My six year old starting developing seasonal allergies about two years ago. Each year they have become increasingly worse. This year, she is miserable...severe congestion, eyes nearly swollen shut. I took her in to the pediatrician, he diagnosed her as having allergies (duh!) and told me to keep her on the zyrtec. Well, when I took her in to the dctor, she had already been on the zyrtec for four days with no relief. Now it's been more than a week and still no improvement at all. What can I do?

Is there any way around serious cat allergies? I'm dying for a kitty but my boyfriend is allergic.

I have tried every allergy medication on the market and they all make me drowsy -- even the ones that specify "non-drowsy." I've read about herbal remedies. Do they work? Is there any way to get relief without feeling sleepy?

I am 18 weeks pregnant and am dealing with a worse-than-usual flare up of ezcema. I know it is aggrevated by the weather and environmental allergies, but being pregnant, there is not a lot I can take. What do you recommend I take that is safe and effective?

I wake up sneezing and with a stuffy nose almost every morning of the year. It tends to get worse in spring and fall, when seasonal allergies heat up. But I wonder, could I be allergic to something other than pollen? Is it worth it for me to get allergy tested?

I get seasonal allergies each spring. Taking Zyrtec really helps keep it under control. But for the past three days Ive had vertigo. Is it possible for seasonal allergies to cause a fluid buildup resulting in vertigo?

Dr. Singla - many thanks for answering my questions today. Very kind of you to take the time to do this online. - Steve

I have recently discovered that I have allergies. (What, I don't know) I do have a thyroid disease and also have RM (Nose - Spray Addiction), and I do not know what to take to help control all of these discomforts. What do you suggest?