(FORTUNE Small Business) – Some people revel in spring fever. I battle hay fever. And as a veteran of the trenches, I can say this war is hell. My arsenal: nasal sprays, herbal remedies, drugs, tissues, and an air filter. At least I'm not alone. Fifty million Americans complain of allergies, and the number is growing every year because of a range of causes, from the reasonable to the ridiculous: airtight homes, indoor pollution, more pets, more carpeting, poor housekeeping--even Twinkies. Already, allergies rank sixth on the list of most costly diseases in the U.S., after stroke and diabetes, among others. Adults lose three million workdays a year to stay home and nurse their allergies. As for me, I've been searching for relief for years. And here's what I've discovered on a journey that has explored the traditional, creative, and borderline-insane cures.

First, I discovered that you can't curse an invasion of viruses for your woes. Your body is to blame. Your hypersensitive immune system mounts an attack on harmless things in the environment such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. To protect the body, the immune system produces the antibody immunoglobulin E, or IgE, which triggers the release of the chemical histamine--the real culprit. That's what causes the itching, swelling, congestion, hives, and rashes. I also learned that the same cure doesn't work for everyone. But there is one bit of brilliant advice for all: Avoid the things that trigger allergies. Clean everything thoroughly. Ban pets. Stay away from spicy foods; they encourage the release of histamines. Encase pillows and mattresses in plastic. But don't bust the budget on one of those space-age vacuums that promises to suck up all the dust bunnies in a bag as secure as a vault. Most doctors say they are no more effective than the average Hoover.

Some over-the-counter drugs provide relief. Most have side effects such as drowsiness and/or excitability (a paradox difficult to comprehend unless you've popped Tylenol Allergy Sinus). New and stronger prescription drugs, such as Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec, work for many people and have little or no side effects. Blends of antihistamines and decongestants also help unclog the stuffy nose but could keep you awake all night or dry out your throat. Nasal sprays such as Astelin, Flonase, and Vancenase help control inflammation without causing jitters. For me, a precise but difficult-to-find combination of nasal sprays and prescription meds has made spring tolerable.

Still looking for the perfect drug? Genentech and Novartis claim to have a breakthrough product that short-circuits the allergic reaction by targeting IgE. Anti-IgE is in its third round of testing and should be out next year.

Eventually, the truly desperate will consider allergy shots. Immunotherapy, as it is called, forces the body to develop a tolerance for certain allergens. Don't even think about it if you're afraid of commitment. Treatment begins with a shot once or twice a week. After a few months, you get a shot every other week. After a year, you're on the once-a-month plan. The bad news: You won't see long-term benefits for three to five years. But some people might get partial relief after three to four months. A number of doctors practice "rush immunotherapy," putting patients on an accelerated program of shots three times a week.

Alternative therapy, meanwhile, is becoming increasingly popular, marked by some hard-nosed insurance companies' acceptance. Dr. Laurence Webster, an Indianapolis allergist, claims to cure patients of allergies without using drugs. Dr. Webster maintains that most problems start in the gut, where certain ingredients in foods set off allergies. Among his recommendations: Eliminate milk, bread, refined sugar, and fruit juice from your diet. Of course, Dr. Webster talked to me on speaker phone because he's afraid of the electromagnetic rays emanating from the telephone.

If those remedies don't work, nature buffs have a batch of remedies to soothe your suffering. But you might not want to share these tips with family or friends. One technique is called nasal irrigation, in which nasal cavities are flushed out with a saline solution instead of a nasal spray with steroids, which may become addictive and thin the nasal passages over time. Proponents use devices such as the Neti Pot. Shaped like Aladdin's lamp, the Neti Pot shoots a jet of salt water up one nostril that drains out of the other and washes away pollen, dust, and, shall we say, debris. There's a trick to doing this without choking; I hope never to master it. Neti Pots and other similar devices are sold in spas, some doctors' offices, and health-food stores (probably next to the tongue scrapers) for $15. Feel daring? One doctor recommends the same procedure with a Water Pik. Another uses a turkey baster. You've got a lot of options.

Then there's the vitamin and herb routine. Helen Batchelder, senior editor at Mothernature.com, which sells herbs and vitamins over the Internet, recommends vitamin C (a natural antihistamine) and vitamin E. Essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil, inhibit allergies. Ginkgo and licorice are natural antihistamines and decongestants. Manufacturers are introducing natural healing for dummies: pills stuffed with those herbs and vitamins thought to help the allergic. Keep in mind that the placebo effect is 45%. In other words: You'll probably feel better, one way or another.

Me? I've discovered there's a reason that drugs are the only proven scientific method. I'm sticking to my doctor's advice: Take a couple of prescriptions, and avoid the allergens. It's simpler than the Neti Pot, but it also means I'll be inside this season.