Starting with a histamin-free diet when having allergies is very important. The more histamin in the body, the more a stuffy nose follows. See also "Histamin-Intoleranz", Professor Reinhart Jarisch, Thieme Verlag.

Julie,

I'm sure there are good books (and websites) available in English.

The trick, I think, is zeroing in on possible causes that might apply to you so you can identify good books on those topics. And for that, you need some general awareness about allergen sources. These include:

1. Environmental: It seems that almost all commercial household cleaning products are heavy on the fragrance nowadays. Bathroom cleaners, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, floor cleaners, furniture polish. Not to mention all the personal care products -- soaps, shampoos, deodorants, conditioners, mousses, perfumes. These fragrances have known neurological effects as well as allergic effects. So, you could try eliminating all of these fragranced products in your living and work space. (Car, too!) There are plenty of books on how to use more benign products for cleaning, and most personal care products can be found in unscented versions.

2. Food allergies: We're learning that more people than ever thought probable suffer from sensitivities to gluten, for example. Gluten, dairy, and other foods can add to histamine load in a way that might not seem apparent at the time of consumption but can lower the threshold for allergic reaction to pollen, dust, etc. So, you could investigate food allergies and try some modifications to your diet, eliminating some of the foods you eat most often and assessing if there is a positive effect.

3. Mineral/vitamin deficiencies: As magnesium levels decline, for example, allergies and asthma increases.

The most accurate user-friendly article I can find on allergies vis a vis diet, supplements, etc. is here:
http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/allergies_01.htm

I hope you find this information helpful. Allergies can make one's life pretty miserable.

Gina

Well, Julie. I'm no allergist, but from everything I've read from experts, some of those sprays used over the long-term can make matters worse.

I might also add that people who "refuse" to change lifestyle habits (including diet) might have some other issue. For example, people with undiagnosed ADHD might lack the ability to plan, remember, and follow through on the best of intentions -- not to mention sorting through complex reading material. Coincidentally, it seems that people with ADHD have higher incidences of asthma and allergies, so this presents a sort of "double-whammy." I cannot cite studies on this, but having interacting with virtually thousands of people with ADHD by now (or their family members), this surely seems the case and meriting of study.

Good luck with your persuasion! Maybe "baby steps" is the best plan. ;-)