The key to preventing allergies is to know what a patient is allergic to and avoid the allergens. Key allergens are identified not only by testing but by the history provided by the patient. If a patient is allergic during particular seasons, then it is likely he/she is allergic to pollens. Tree pollen is the earliest produced in the year often from Feb. to April, then grasses in late spring and summer and finally weeds in the summer and fall. Spores from outdoor molds are also produced throughout the year, and will often be worse 3 to 4 days after a rainstorm. Pollens, on the other hand, are often cleared by rain thus improving allergic symptoms. If a patient is allergic to outdoor antigens, keep the windows in the patient's house down and install furnace filters, or a free-standing air filter, which will clean the allergens from your house.

House Dust Mites:
*Avoid overstuffed furniture, shelves, and other dusty surfaces.
*Minimize use of rugs; bare wood or tile floors are best.
*Vacuum away from people who have allergies to help them avoid dust inhalation.
*Correctly ventilate your home.
*Maintain heating system, and change filters regularly.
*Keep all clothes in closed closets; keep wool clothing in plastic bags.
*Use washable, synthetic blankets and pillows, and wash bedding frequently.
*Wash bed sheets and pillow cases weekly in hot water (130 deg F)
*Reduce indoor humidity to less than50%
*Cover mattress with aired-out plastic.
*Vigorously clean inside, consider using benzyl benzoate or tannic acid to cleanse.  These can be dangerous chemicals and must be used properly or by a professional cleaner.
 
Molds:
*Avoid fresh cut grass.
*Us air conditioner on indoor cycle (for outdoor molds and pollens.) .
*Avoid "hot spots" of mold growth or mold concentration:
--live plants, dried plants, flowers
--basements, closets, bathrooms, shower stalls
--clothes dryers, air conditioners, humidifiers
--upholstered furniture
--garbage pails.

*Reduce humidity to 50%, which is conducive to dust mite growth and molds; avoid using belt- type humidifiers.
*Use a HEPA filter.

Other Measures:
*Avoid contact with pets.  Do not sleep with your pets, keep pets out side.
*Avoid tobacco smoke.
*Use and store chemicals wisely.

*Ammonia--in pure form can be used for general cleaning.
*Baking soda--use for general cleaning and deodorizing.
*Beeswax, lemon oil, raw linseed oil, mineral oil, olive oil, paste wax--use to polish furniture.
*Non-chlorine bleach--use as household or laundry cleaner.
*Club soda--useful spot remover.
*Salt--works as a kitchen cleaner; loosens burned-on foods.

If you follow the above guidelines, see your physician regularly, and use the medication your physician has prescribed, you can help keep your perennial rhinitis under control.