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Avoiding pollen and mold

You may not be able to avoid pollen or
 
 
 
 
 
molds
Molds are a type of fungus that can cause health problems. For example, you can get infections caused by molds, or you can have an allergy to molds. If you're allergic to them, you have a reaction when you breathe in tiny seeds they give off (called mold spores).
 
 
 
 
 
 mold all the time. But there are some things you can do when the chance of getting hay fever symptoms is high.

If you're allergic to pollen:

  • Check the pollen count every day during the pollen season. You can find out the pollen count in your area from the National Allergy Bureau.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
    Allergies: Questions and answers
    February 2000. Available at http://www.medhelp.org/NIHlib/GF-490.html (accessed on 1 July 2008).
     
     
     
     
     
     1 When the count is high, stay indoors as much as you can and keep your windows closed.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Nathan A.
    How to treat hay fever and associated allergic conditions in the pharmacy.
    Pharmaceutical Journal. 2002; 268: 575-578.
     
     
     
     
     
     2 Remember, pollen levels are highest in the early morning, between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. (To find out more about pollen counts, see What is hay fever?)
  • Don't go outside at all if your symptoms are really bad.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Nathan A.
    How to treat hay fever and associated allergic conditions in the pharmacy.
    Pharmaceutical Journal. 2002; 268: 575-578.
     
     
     
     
     
     2
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Rosenwasser LJ.
    Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
    American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
     
     
     
     
     
     3
  • Don't dry your clothes outdoors. Pollen in the air may stick to your clothes.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
    Allergies: Questions and answers
    February 2000. Available at http://www.medhelp.org/NIHlib/GF-490.html (accessed on 1 July 2008).
     
     
     
     
     
     1
  • Keep pollen away from your eyes by wearing sunglasses that fit close to your eyes.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Nathan A.
    How to treat hay fever and associated allergic conditions in the pharmacy.
    Pharmaceutical Journal. 2002; 268: 575-578.
     
     
     
     
     
     2
  • When you're in your car, keep the windows closed and use air conditioning. Some cars have pollen filters.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Nathan A.
    How to treat hay fever and associated allergic conditions in the pharmacy.
    Pharmaceutical Journal. 2002; 268: 575-578.
     
     
     
     
     
     2
  • When you're at home, use air conditioning on the "indoor" setting. This cuts down on how much outdoor air flows into your home.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Rosenwasser LJ.
    Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
    American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
     
     
     
     
     
     3
  • Use a special air filter to reduce the amount of pollen in your home.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
    Allergies: Questions and answers
    February 2000. Available at http://www.medhelp.org/NIHlib/GF-490.html (accessed on 1 July 2008).
     
     
     
     
     
     1
  • If you've been outside for a while, take a shower to wash the pollen off your skin.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Rosenwasser LJ.
    Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
    American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
     
     
     
     
     
     3
  • Avoid air pollution, cigarette smoke and other irritants, such as insect sprays, fresh paint and tar.
     
     
     
     
     
    Source:
    Klein GL.
    Treatment of hay fever: allergen avoidance and medication to control symptoms.
    Postgraduate Medicine. 1989; 85: 193-200.
     
     
     
     
     
     4 They may make your hay fever symptoms worse.
If you're allergic to mold:

  • Avoid places where mold grows, such as moist, shady areas and compost piles.
  • Try to keep your home dry inside.
  • Don't mow your lawn or rake the leaves.

Sources for the information on this page:
  1. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Allergies: Questions and answersFebruary 2000. Available at http://www.medhelp.org/NIHlib/GF-490.html (accessed on 1 July 2008).
  2. Nathan A.How to treat hay fever and associated allergic conditions in the pharmacy.Pharmaceutical Journal. 2002; 268: 575-578.
  3. Rosenwasser LJ.Treatment of allergic rhinitis.American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
  4. Klein GL.Treatment of hay fever: allergen avoidance and medication to control symptoms.Postgraduate Medicine. 1989; 85: 193-200.
This information was last updated on May 01, 2009
BMJ Group
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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