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Prevention is actually the best treatment for allergies. By identifying exactly what you're allergic to, you can avoid it if at all possible, sometimes greatly limiting your symptoms without resorting to medical or over-the-counter treatments. In cases of airborne allergens, it helps to use an air conditioner inside your home and car. Special air filtering devices can be added to your home's heating and cooling systems. In addition, portable air cleaning devices used in individual rooms can be helpful; ask your health care professional which type would be best. The size of your room is one determining factor; the airflow should be sufficient to exchange the air in the room five or six times per hour. Vacuuming can actually worsen your symptoms unless the vacuum is equipped with a special HEPA filter (High-efficiency particle arrester). Following are some helpful tips for avoiding your exposure to various allergens.

Pollens

Unfortunately, short of staying indoors when pollen counts are high-and even that may not help-there's no easy way to evade windborne pollen. The pollen granules are so small and light and produced in such huge quantities, they can be carried for long distances; clearing the offending plants from your own yard does little good. However, you can:

• avoid prolonged, close contact with pollens (as well as some molds) by avoiding working outside during allergy season

• stay indoors during the time of the highest pollen counts, usually early in the morning on warm, dry, breezy days

• if you do have to work outside, wear a face mask designed to filter pollen and keep it from reaching your nasal passages

• plan your vacation at the height of the expected pollinating period and choose a location where such exposure would be minimal, such as the seashore

Relocating to a place where the offending substance doesn't grow is not usually recommended simply because the person who is sensitive to a particular pollen or mold may subsequently develop allergies to new allergens after repeated exposure. So a woman who moves to an area of the country where ragweed doesn't grow may end up developing allergies to other weeds, trees or grasses in her new community.

Molds

Mold allergens, too, can be difficult to avoid but, to reduce your exposure, you can:

• avoid places where they proliferate such as moist, shady areas outdoors, garden compost piles, greenhouses, mills, and grain fields or bins. Indoor hot spots include damp basements and closets, bathrooms, places where fresh food is stored, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture and old foam rubber pillows

• keep the lawn mowed and leaves raked up, but have someone else do this for you or wear a tightly fitting dust mask to reduce your exposure

• avoid walks through tall vegetation or travel in the country while crops are being harvested

• ensure moldy places indoors, such as summer cabins, are aired out and cleaned before spending time there

• use a dehumidifier to dry out the basement, but be sure to frequently remove the water collected in the machine to prevent mold growth there

• open a window or use a fan after a warm or steamy shower to allow the humidity to escape

Dust mites

Dust mites are most effectively reduced by decreasing the amount of dust in your home. You can:

• dust proof, especially your bedroom, by removing wall-to-wall carpet, blinds, down-filled blankets, and feather pillows. Window shades don't trap dust; curtains can be used if they are washed periodically in hot water; hardwood floors with washable throw rugs are easier to remove dust from than carpets. The fabric on upholstered furniture traps dust much more so than vinyl- or leather-covered upholstery. Washable slipcovers are a good alternative.

• bedding should be encased in allergy proof covers commercially available. The more expensive covers are more comfortable and work best.

• washable items should be washed frequently using water hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills dust mites

• frequently dust with a damp cloth

Animals

If you simply can't bear to find another home for your pet, you can:

• have someone bathe the house cat weekly and brush it outdoors even more frequently

• remove carpets and soft furnishings that trap animal dander and dried proteins in dust

• use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

• use a room air cleaner with a HEPA filter

• wear a face mask while house cleaning

• keep the pets out of your bedroom

Foods and other ingested substances

• ask your health care professional for the various names of different forms of the food that you should avoid

• read food ingredient labels closely to check for the presence of your trigger food substances; they are often found in places you wouldn't suspect

• at a restaurant, don't hesitate to ask about ingredients of various dishes

• if you're allergic to a common medication such as penicillin, wear or carry something with this information, such as a medical alert bracelet or card

• if you have had anaphylactic reactions, you should wear a medical alert bracelet as well

• if you have severe allergies, be sure to be prepared to treat an inadvertent exposure at the first sign of a reaction with a syringe of epinephrine (Epi Pen auto-injector), obtained by prescription from your health care professional