Please provide some do's and don'ts on dealing with hayfever (allergic rhinitis).

Ignore: Take your shoes off at the door, stay indoors in air conditioning on high pollen days.

Ignore: Visit an allergist to have testing performed for help in identifying specific triggers.

Ignore: Avoid spicy food because that adds to the histamine load. Use unscented lipstick.

Ignore: Use otc medicines wisely, get evaluated by a professional if self medications don't work, .

Nasal: Nasal saline rinse on return from outside; bedtime. Hepa filters in bedroom, hypoallergenic linens.

Daily: Daily Normal Saline rinses is giving your nose a bath & should be part of your daily your routine.

Ignore: Avoid the allergens! Take Rx for symptoms and consider getting allergy testing and immunotherapy.

Decrease: Decrease or eliminate your exposure to the things you know cause your hayfever.

In: In addition to other therapies, rinse the nose with tap water or a neti pot a few times each day.

Ignore: Don't line dry your clothes and bedding after washing. They are magnets for pollen.

Ignore: Do drink a lot of water to dilute the pollen.

Avoid: Avoid background irritants like fragrances in soaps, detergents, cosmetics, sprays, aerosols, dust.

Ignore: Use a saline spray, take your antihistamine between 4-6pm, use a steroid nasal spray in the am.

Ignore: Dust Avoidance: dust mite covers on mattress and pillows, washing sheets once weekly on hot cycle.

Stay: Stay vigilant. Intranasal steroid sprays only work when you take them everyday.

Do: Do maintain healthy hydrated mucosa. Don't use a mold-breeding humidifier unless bleach-cleaned.

Ignore: Allergy immunotherapy is cost effective in the long run.

Ignore: Close windows during pollen season and remove clothes/take shower immediately after returning home.

Ignore: Avoid iced drinks/ foods. Avoid temperature changes. Avoid scented lipstick, spicy dishes.

Ignore: Minimize exposure to allergens (pets, dust mites). Nasal steroid, oral antihistamine during season.