It’s allergy season again, and many Iowa State students are turning to medical professionals for relief.

“We’re having a lot of students coming in suffering from ragweed,” said Mary Foose, registered nurse at the Student Health Center international travel and allergy clinic. “The pollen count is high but should lower with the first frost.”

More than 40 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, and ragweed season, which began in mid-August, is at its peak, she said.

Josh Frandsen, freshman in engineering, said his allergies started acting up in the beginning of August.

“Sometimes my allergies lead to nausea and makes me feel sick from all the congestion,” he said.

The Student Health Center deals with many allergy sufferers, and pharmacist Margaret Karbeling said she suspects this is an especially hard year.

“We’ve filled a lot of prescriptions,” she said. “I have a sense that a lot of people are suffering this year, more so than past years.”

Jay Brown, allergy specialist at McFarland Clinic, 1215 Duff Ave., said there are three steps to combating allergies.

“First we use avoidance methods, then medications and finally, shots,” he said.

Brown said avoidance includes keeping pets out of the bedroom and keeping living areas clean and dust free. For people with dust mite allergies, Brown recommends encasing mattresses and pillows.

Pollen sufferers should do their outside activities in the afternoon, when the pollen counts are lower, he said.

The most common medications prescribed for allergies are antihistamines, as well as nasal steroid sprays, eye drops and nose sprays, Foose said.

Students suffering from allergies are encouraged to see a physician or visit the Student Health Center.