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Medicines help treat
your allergy symptoms once you've got them,
but there are several steps you can take to prevent symptoms before
they strike. The following recommendations can help you avoid allergy
attacks whether |
you're at home, outdoors,
or out on the town.
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At Home
•
Keep windows closed and use air conditioning if you're allergic
to pollen. Don't use fans since they can stir up dust. |
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Filter the air. Cover air conditioning vents with cheesecloth
to filter pollen and use a high efficiency particulate
air filter (HEPA) if you have a forced air furnace. Clean
air filters frequently and air ducts at least once a year. |
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Keep the humidity in your house below 50% to prevent
mold growth. |
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If you have pets, consider keeping them outside or perhaps
ask someone else to take care of them. Animal dander and
saliva are common allergens for many people. If you must
keep your pets indoors, do not allow them in the bedroom
and be sure to bathe them often. |
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Avoid areas where molds may collect, including basements,
garages, crawl spaces, barns, and compost heaps. Have someone
else clean these areas often. |
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Install dehumidifiers or steam vaporizers in basements
and other areas of the house where molds tend to collect.
Clean these devices every week. |
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Air out damp clothes and shoes (in the house) before
storing. |
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Remove laundry from the washing machine promptly. Don't
leave wet clothes in the washer where mold can quickly
grow. |
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Wash shower curtains and bathroom tiles with mold-killing
solutions. |
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Don't collect too many indoor plants as soil encourages
mold growth. |
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Store firewood outside. |
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Use plastic covers for pillows, mattresses and box springs.
Avoid overstuffed furniture and down-filled bedding or
pillows. |
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Wash your bedding every week in hot water. |
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Don't allow smoking in your house. |
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Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming or painting
to limit
dust and chemical exposure. |
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Vacuum twice a week. |
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Limit throw rugs to reduce dust and mold. If you do have
rugs, make sure
they are washable. |
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When possible, choose hardwood floors instead of carpeting.
If you must
have carpeting, choose low-pile material. |
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Avoid dust-collecting Venetian blinds or long drapes.
Replace old drapes
with window shades instead. |
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Make sure there is an exhaust fan over the stove to remove
cooking fumes. |
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In The Car
• Keep windows closed and set the air conditioner to use recirculated
air if you are allergic to pollen.
• Don't permit smoking in the car.
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Outdoors
•
Minimize walks in wooded areas or gardens. |
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•Check the forecast.
Stay indoors as much as possible on hot, dry, windy days
when pollen counts are generally the highest. |
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Try to avoid extreme temperature
changes -- they are triggers for some
people with asthma. |
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If possible, stay indoors between
5 and 10 a.m. when outdoor pollen counts are usually
highest. |
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Wear a mask (such as an inexpensive
painter's mask) when mowing the lawn if you are allergic
to grass pollen or mold. Avoid mowing and being around
freshly
cut grass if possible. |
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Wear a mask when gardening, as
flowers and some weeds release pollen and can cause allergy
symptoms. |
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Avoid raking leaves or working
with hay or mulch if you are allergic
to mold. |
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After being outdoors, take a shower,
wash your hair and change your clothes to remove pollen
that may have collected in your clothes and hair. |
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To protect yourself from insect
stings, wear shoes, long pants and sleeves, and do not
wear scented deodorants, perfumes, shampoos or hair products. |
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Don't hang clothes or linens out
to dry, as pollen and molds may collect in them and can
make your allergies worse. |
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Traveling
•
Pack your medicines with you in your carry-on bag.
•
Bring an extra supply of medicines in case you need them.
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Staying In A Hotel
•
Ask for a nonsmoking room. |
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Remove feather pillows and ask for
synthetic, nonallergenic pillows -- or bring your own plastic
pillow cover from home. |
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If possible, keep the vent on the room air conditioner
shut. |
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Dining
•
Eat in smoke-free restaurants. |
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For food allergies,
avoid the foods that cause your allergy symptoms by carefully
reading ingredient labels and asking about the food preparation
methods when dining out. |
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Choose fresh foods
rather than prepared or processed foods. If you have
severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, carry an epinephrine
injection kit with
you at all times. |
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For Children In School
•
Discuss your child's allergies with school personnel. |
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If your child
suffers from food allergies, discuss them with school
officials, teachers, and lunchroom staff. |
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Educate your child about
his/her allergies early, so your child can learn to avoid
situations where he or she may eat a food that will trigger
an allergic reaction. Arrange for an epinephrine kit
to be left at the school, and make sure school officials
(and your child when they are old enough) are able to
use it
correctly. |
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Inform school personnel about
the medicines your child is taking and make arrangements
to leave necessary medicines at school. |
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Encourage sports participation,
but inform coaches of medicines that may need to be taken
before activities. |
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Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Allergy and Immunology
and the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, March 2002.
Copyright ©2000 content, The Cleveland Clinic.
Used with permission. The information provided by The Cleveland
Clinic is not intended to replace the medical advice of your
doctor or health-care provider. Please consult your health-care
provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For
additional health information, please contact the Health Information
Center at The Cleveland Clinic, (216) 444-3771 or toll-free
(800) 223-2273, Ext. 43771.
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