Avoidance strategies will be slightly different depending upon the nature of the allergy. Common allergies and their associated avoidance suggestions include:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Patients should take steps to minimize exposure to dust mites, molds, pollen, animal dander and other airborne allergens (any substance that the body mistakenly perceives as a threat, triggering an allergic reaction) in the home. They should also try to minimize time spent outdoors in areas and during seasons where allergen levels are high. Tips to avoid exposure to airborne allergens include:
  
• • Remove carpets and drapes, which collect allergens such as dust mites.
    
    
  • Use allergen-proof covers for mattresses, box springs and pillow cases.
    
    
  • Wash bed linens and stuffed animals in hot water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).
    
    
  • Remove pets from the home if they are the source of allergies. If this is too difficult emotionally, try to limit areas in the home where the pet is allowed to roam. Be especially careful to keep the pet out of bedrooms.
    
    
  • During allergy season, try to keep windows and doors closed at home and use air conditioning if necessary.
    
    
  • Use an air filter that can remove allergens from the air, such as HEPA filters. Also, regularly replace filters in heating and cooling systems.
    
    
  • Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity and prevent conditions ripe for mold, mildew, bacteria and dust mites. A device called a hygrometer measures the relative humidity in a room. Patients can take several measurements throughout the day and note if and when relative humidity rises to above 50 percent. Dehumidifiers can then be placed in areas where relative humidity frequently crosses the 50 percent threshold. Exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms also reduce humidity.
    
    
  • Shower frequently to wash airborne allergens from hair and skin.
    
    
  • Rinse eyes and use sinus rinse to remove allergens from mucous membranes.
    
    
  • Stay indoors as much as possible during the pollen season (when there are high pollen counts), especially on windy and humid days.
    
    
  • Use air conditioning in the car, which cleans and dries out air.
    
    
  • Avoid yard work that could stir up pollen and molds – such as mowing the lawn or raking leaves.
    
    
  • Avoid hanging laundry outdoors to dry because pollen can collect on fabrics.
    
    
  • Wash pets frequently to minimize the amount of allergens on their skin and coats.
    
   
• Food allergies. Avoidance is the only effective treatment option for food allergies. Once a troublesome food allergen has been identified, the patient must be careful to avoid the food or ingredient. Patients must read food labels closely and ask about preparation methods in restaurants. Patients should be aware of food ingredients that are unfamiliar. Steps that can be taken include:
  
• • Using a Food Allergy Card to keep track of troublesome foods and ingredients. These cards can be printed out and given to wait staff at restaurants to ensure that meals are prepared with ingredients that are safe to eat.
    
    
  • Check out restaurants beforehand to make sure safe meal options are available. Also, frequent the same restaurants once safety has been established.
    
    Even very careful individuals can occasionally come into contact with food allergens. Therefore, people with food allergies should be prescribed an injection of epinephrine to carry with them, especially when eating out. Epinephrine is a drug that, when injected, reverses severe allergy symptoms such as breathing difficulty and lowered blood pressure.
    
    
• Medication allergies. As with food allergies, avoidance is the only effective technique in most cases. Occasionally, a patient may undergo desensitization therapy, where small amounts of the drug allergen are introduced to the body until reactions no longer occur. However, this therapy can produce dangerous reactions and is not recommended unless there is no alternative to the drug that causes symptoms. 
  
  
• Latex allergy. Latex is found in thousands of commonly used products, so complete avoidance is often difficult. However, several steps can be taken to reduce exposure. These include:
  
• • Check labels to determine which products contain latex.
    
    
  • Inform healthcare professionals, such as physicians and dentists, about latex allergies so they are aware and can avoid using latex-based gloves and equipment.
    
• • Choose alternatives to latex gloves when practical. Although they do not match latex's ability to protect against disease, vinyl gloves work well for many tasks.
    
• • Avoid inhaling latex when possible. Try to avoid areas where people work with latex gloves or ask that they not use gloves powered with cornstarch. Scheduling physician or dental appointments to be the first patient of the day can also help minimize exposure to airborne latex particles.
    
• • Ask if latex-based gloves are used during food preparation in restaurants or other food preparation settings.
    
    
• Chemical, fragrance and cosmetics allergies. Some chemicals can be found throughout the environment and may be difficult to avoid completely. However, several steps can still be taken to reduce exposure. They include:
  
• • Do not use products that contain fragrances, including air fresheners, potpourri, cosmetics, grooming products and cleaning products.
    
    
  • Ask family members and co-workers not to wear strong perfumes and colognes.
    
• • Avoid tobacco smoke as much as possible.
    
• • Never use pesticides indoors.
    
• • Do-it-yourself projects or other activities involving chemicals should always be completed in an open-air setting.
    
    
• Insect sting allergies. These are allergies to the venom released in the stings of bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and fire ants. Steps that can be taken to avoid being stung include:
  
• • Avoid disturbing sites that might host hives, such as large trees, stumps, logs and large rocks.
    
    
  • Hire an exterminator to destroy hives or nests.
    
• • Do not slap at bees. This may provoke them.
    
• • Do not drink from cans or straws unless you can see inside them. Yellow jackets often hide in these places.
    
• • Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and closed shoes when possible. Do not wear flowery or bright-colored clothing, or dark clothing; whites and light colors are better. Avoid loose-fitting clothing, which can trap insects between the material and the skin.
    
• • Do not walk barefoot outdoors.
    
• • Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes, which may attract stinging insects.
    
• • Do not use insect repellent to avoid stinging insects. It is more likely to attract them.