WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans spent $11 billionon doctors’ bills, prescription drugs and other treatments forallergies in 2005, according to government statistics released onWednesday.

Sneezing, itchy eyes and other miseries caused by allergies sent22 million Americans to a doctor that year, according to the Agencyfor Healthcare Research and Quality.

The money they spent is nearly double the $6 billion spent in2000 on allergies, the agency said.

Of the $11 billion, doctor visits accounted for $4 billion andprescription drugs cost $7 billion.

Between 2000 and 2005, average annual spending on treatment ofallergies jumped from $350 per person to $520 per person, theagency’s Anita Soni said.