Fall allergies: What you need to know

(CBS News) Some experts say 2012 will be a worse than normal fall season for allergies.

Why? The unusually warm summer gave a jump start to ragweed pollen, the primary fall allergy trigger. And the pollen may hang around longer, too.

Forty million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Symptoms can include a stuffy nose, red, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a hoarse, scratchy throat.

How much misery you're in may depend on where you live. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation just released their list of the worst fall allergy cities. Louisville, Ky. tops the list with Witchita, Kan., and Knoxville, Tenn., close behind.

But no matter where you live, there are some steps you can take to ease your symptoms. Over-the-counter medications work for some people, but others may need to see a doctor for allergy shots. Keep your home as dust free as possible. Stay indoors at peak pollen times (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Clean your home's heating ducts and use a high-efficiency filter.

And if all else fails, we can always count on winter's frost to clear the air.

Watch Dr. Holly Phillips' report in the video above.