If allergies make you wheeze, sneeze, drip, itch, puff, or droop, or if asthma makes you feel like an elephant is standing on your chest, you’ll want to read Allergies and Asthma for Dummies. Author William Berger, M.D., M.B.A., knows his stuff. He is a practicing allergist, a member of the task force that developed national guidelines for treating allergic diseases, and a former staff allergist for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.

You get much more than the basics here. You learn how to prevent and treat the common types of allergies, with extensive information on hay fever and skin rashes, and short but helpful sections on allergic reactions to food, drugs, and insects. The asthma section is especially comprehensive, with instructions for recognizing and managing asthma triggers, monitoring air flow, selecting the best medications for both short-term and long-term relief, and special considerations for pregnant women and children. The book covers both self-help and pharmacological treatment methods in depth, but not alternative treatments.

One of the most helpful chapters is “Relieving Your Rhinitis,” which will appeal especially to the 45 million Americans who suffer from hay fever. Allergic rhinitis (the medical term) is not a fever and is caused not by hay, but rather by airborne pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds. The commonly used over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may not be your best choice, says Berger. He describes the uses and advantages of recommended prescription drugs, and advises a medical evaluation to choose the right one for you.

The book’s style, though still easy to understand, is not as casual or humorous as the typical For Dummies book. This may be because Berger is more intent on packing a bundle of helpful medical information into the book than being witty. –Joan Price

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