Allergies have a habit of coming back during the changing of seasons. Your immune system interprets spring, summer, and fall in protective but at times hyperbolic ways. To address allergies, humans have used steam bowls and "summer catarrh", neti pots, to first-generation antihistamines (effective, but drowsy), second-generation medications (useful, daily), and, ultimately, the post-2011 age of sprays that treat the sinuses and the itching. These shifts are chronicled in this episode. In addition, we tie in the FDA's quiet decision-making process that allowed Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra to move from the prescription pad to the counter.

Health literacy is our guiding principle: with such knowledge, you may understand the label without on any prescription and select one that offers relief, provided the mechanism and symptom are clearly matched. This is decision-making and design, not deregulation. Breathe deeply a few times, select what's most suitable, and proceed.