Since allergens that cause allergies are environmental, you can avoid or reduce your exposure to these allergens by controlling your environments. Note that:
- the most common way of exposure to allergens is through inhalation
- season allergies are often caused by outdoor allergens and perennial (or year round) allergies and asthma symptoms may be caused by indoor allergens
Methods of Reducing Allergen Exposure
Outdoor Allergens
- To increase air circulation, instead of leaving windows and doors open, use air conditioning as an alternative.
- Upon return from a trip outdoors, change your clothes and take a shower.
- Rather than drying your laundry outdoors, use a dryer instead.
Indoor Allergens
- For those with house dust allergies, use allergy-free covers to cover pillows and mattresses to reduce dust mite contamination. Wash bedding in hot water.
- For those with animal dander allergies, remove pets from home or keep some rooms pet-free, i.e. bedrooms. Also, remove or wash stuffed animals.
- For mold allergies, use air conditioning and a dehumidifier to help reduce mold growth.
References
1. Medicinenet. Allergy. 2011. Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/allergy/index.htm. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
2. Dugdale, David. Antigen. August 2011. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002224.htm. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
3. WebMD. Immunoglobulins. July 2010. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immunoglobulins. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
4. WebMD. Allergies. July 2009. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/allergy-basics/ Accessed on October 7, 2011.
5. Busse, Paul. Allergy Symptoms. July 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19316.htm. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
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