A--Air-condition your home
B--Bathroom mold and mildew can cause allergy symptoms; scrub sinks and fixtures regularly
C--Cats and dogs can cause runny eyes and sneezing. If you have pets, brush them outside daily. Use a bristle brush if your pet has a short coat, use a shedding blade and a flea comb if your pet has a medium-length coat, and use a shedding blade and a wire bristle brush if your pet has a long coat (better yet, keep the long coated breeds clipped) Talk to your doctor about pet allergen testing, shots, desensitization, and other new technology.
D--Damp mop hard surface floors at least once a week
E--Enclose your fireplace; avoid smoke and fumes and don't store wood indoors
F--Fluff-dry drapes, curtains, and small rugs in your dryer to keep them dust-free
G--Go see your allergist regularly
H--High-efficiency, non-electronic, ozone-free air cleaners can remove up to 99% of airborn contaminants from circulation. Get one for your home or office
I--Invest in an efficient kitchen exhaust fan
J--Junior's fabric toys can trap dust and other irritants -- keep them clean
K--Keep emergency medication handy, but out of reach of small children
L--Leave trees and planes alone during allergy season...or wear a surgical mask to reduce the pollen you inhale
M--Mattresses should be vacuumed regularly (be sure to pay particular attention to the seams) Pillows and other bedding should be made of non-allergenic synthetic fibers
N--Notify the school nurse and teachers of your children's allergies and symptoms. Provide emergency phone numbers if your child has a serious problem with allergies.
O--Outdoor activities should be minimized during allergy season. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area whenever possible.
P--Proper relative humidity during the winter provided by a central humidifier will alleviate itchy skin and skin allergies
Q--Quit smoking! It's needless irritation for eyes, nose, throat, and lungs -- yours AND others. I will celebrate my 16th anniversary of kicking the habit March 27th
R--Replace or clean air cleaner, air conditioner, and furniture filters as needed
S--stay away from odorous chemicals and perfumes. Avoid industiral areas and high-traffic areas too
T--Tile your kitchen and bathroom floors; rugs and carpets trap allergens
U--Use wood or vinyl furnishings rather than those with heavy upholstery fabrics
V--Vacuum your entire house weekly. Use Swiffer-like dusters on bookshelves, blinds, window sills, and above doors before you vacuum
W--Windows and doors should be shut completely and sealed shut
X--X-tra care is needed during summer months
Y--Year-round attention is important to allergy relief
Z--Zip right through the allergy season with symptom relief using common sense and all these preventative tips
Source: Mostly Heloise, the goddess of hints and tips, as well as a few of my own. =)
By Laura from Long Beach, CA
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