Prevention of allergic rhinitis includes:
- Do not use a vacuum indoors:
- Ask someone else in your household to vacuum.
- Use a dust mask if you must vacuum.
- Carry antihistamine medications.
- Clean heating and cooling ducts in the house.
- Do not use aerosols or spray cleaners in the bedroom.
- Install allergy filters in the heating and cooling system:
- Change them once per month.
- Do not hang clothes outside where they can be exposed to allergens.
- Do not wear contact lenses:
- Allergens can become trapped underneath lenses.
- Place plastic covers over mattresses and pillows.
- Remove carpeting.
- Remove stuffed furniture and stuffed animals from the bedroom.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50 percent.
- Wash all bed linens in hot water every week.
- Wear an alert bracelet that identifies your allergies.
- Wash curtains weekly.
- Wash your hair before going to sleep.
- Your hair can collect allergens during the day.
