Please provide some do's and don'ts for all people living with mild to severe forms of allergies.

Do: Do pay close attention to any patterns of allergy attacks and see if you can identify your triggers.

Don't: Don't ignore nasal allergy symptoms; there is effective and safe relief. Don't live with it!

Rubbing: Rubbing makes itching worse in the long run.

Avoid: Avoid consuming sugar & sweets - these items can increase your risk for allergy attacks.

Daily: Daily nasal irritations with warm saline will minimize symptoms.

A: A neti pot is like a mouth wash for your nose.

Using: Using a neti pot is a great way to help with the symptoms of an early cold or allergies.

If: If you're having surgery, be sure to have a complete list of allergies and reactions.

Proper: Proper diet, proper sleep & proper exercise can reduce your allergy symptoms.

Avoid: Avoid consuming vegetable oils like soy & canola - these oils can make your allergies much worse.

If: If you are rubbing your eyes, see an eye doctor.

Know: Know your allergies and always verify what medication is given to you.

Nasal: Nasal steroid inhalers from your pcp help with allergy eyes too.

Starting: Starting nasal steroid sprays before the pollen season is more effective than waiting for symptoms.

Titanium: Titanium frames tend to cause less allergies for patients.

Use: Use artificial tears four times daily to wash away allergens from the eyes.

Wash: Wash eye lashes with dilute baby shampoo to clean off allergens.

Wash: Wash hair before bed so allergens don't get on pillow and then in eyes.

Allergies: Allergies are the main underlying cause of sinus infections.

Experiment: Experiment with combination therapy: zyrtec/allegra/claritin + singulair (montelukast) + steroid nasal spray.

Find: Find out what you're allergic to (skin or blood testing) and avoid it!

Invest: Invest in central air system extreme filters or even electrostatic add-on units.

No: No knick-knacks on shelves, stuffed furniture, uncovered mattresses and pillow cases. No pets.

Sounds: Avoid triggers, if you're allegic to cats, get rid of cat, etc. Sounds simple, but can be difficult.

Steroid: Steroid nasal sprays may be as-or-more effective at treating allergies than antihistamines.

Use: Use saline sinus rinse to wash out nasal irritants daily or even twice daily.

Artificial: Artificial tears can help with itchy eyes from allergies.

Avoid: Avoid consuming "cured meats." the nitrites & nitrates in them will worsen your allergies.

Cool: Cool compresses can help with itchy eyes from allergies.

Find: Find a local bee keeper and eat some of their honey daily.

Lid: Lid scrubs with diluted baby shampoo will help.

Prescription: Prescription eye allergy drops are long lasting.

Studies: Studies show sublingual immunotherapy more effective, safer, and easier than allergy shots.

Allergy: Allergy shots or drops can help severe allergic patients cope and decrease the need for meds.

Balloon: Balloon sinuplasty can relieve recurrent sinus infections caused by allergies.

Close: Close windows all year unless you live on a beach. Outside air is filled with allergens, chemicals.

Cover: Cover your bedding, including the comforter, with dust mite proof coverings.

Don't: Don't use any form of fabric softener or dryer sheets to avoid irritating residues.

Groom: Groom cats with damp cloths or cotton gloves. It will help to eliminate allergens.

Local: Local honey can desensitize you to allergies similar to allergy shots.

Radio: Radio frequency reduction of nasal tissues can relieve allergic nasal congestion.

Take: Take prescribed medications on a regular schedule during your season or year round if indicated.

Alternate: Alternate zyrtec, claritin, (loratadine) and Allegra quarterly to maintain the allergy-relieving effect.

Know: Know what you are allergic to and avoid it. Have an air cleaner in the bedroom! generic singulair!

Do: Do you carry an epi-pen? Be sure to check the expiration date and consider a medic alert tag!

Make: Make your doc happy. Keep a log book of observations and potential exposures.

Springtime: Springtime pollen is coming! prepare yourself with zyrtec, claritin, (loratadine) or Allegra to get a head start!

The: The best treatment is avoidance. If you know what you are allergic to (cats, hay), stay away!

Allergy: Allergy making your eyes itch at night? Pollen from hair/face can transfer to pillow-case. Clean it.

No: No pet is hypoallergenic, it is a myth!

Start: Start your medications before the high pollen season starts. Consider allergy shots!

An: An antihistamine a day can keep the doctor away.

Make: Make sure to wear your medical alert bracelet if you have a serious allergy.

Patients: Patients will do better if they use antihistamines and nasal steroids to start the allergy season.

Consult: Consult with an allergist who can test you to find out what you are indeed allergic to.

Ignore: Monitor your diet to document what you ate before major allergy attacks!

Patch: Patch testing is the only reliable way to diagnose contact allergies with the skin.

Confirm: Confirm your allergies with allergy testing so that you know what allergens to avoid.

Reduce: Reduce allergic reactions to dust/pet dander by bringing your own allergen-proof pillow to hotels.

Obviously: Obviously avoiding the trigger is best, but not always possible.

NeilMed: Neilmed saline rinse! every night before bed during pollen season helps 'clean the filter'.

Do: Do not use over the counter decongestant sprays for more than 2 days in a row.

Start: Start your nose spray 2 weeks before the start of the allergy season, don't wait until last minute.

If: If you are getting allergy testing, stop all antihistamines for at least a week beforehand.

Don't: Don't gamble trying foods you know you are allergic to.

Children: Children with milk allergy should avoid milk, casein, and whey. Check the label on foods.

Use: Use mdi inhaler correctly: inhale at the same instant you press to activate, not before you inhale.

Reduce: Reduce dust mite exposure: use pillow and mattress encasings under sheets and pillow cases.

Limit: Limit dust in your home: upgrade to a vacuum that uses a hepa filter and keep filter clean.

Limit: Limit doctor office wait times: request the first A.M. Or after lunch appointment slot.

Use: Use a nose spray: point spray at ceiling, bring head over spray so you are looking at the floor.

Limit: Limit animal dander: eliminate fabric furniture and carpeting where ever possible.

Stop: Stop a runny nose from a viral cold: ipatropium nasal spray (prescription only).

Some: Some patients with latex allergy will have reactions to kiwi, avocado, banana and chestnut.

For: For dust mite allergy, put your pillow in the freezer or dryer on high heat for a while to kill mite.

Dust: Dust mite avoidance measures work; cleaning the ducts does not work.

Cat: Cat allergy is often impossible if the cat remains indoors: allergy shots are an option.

Keep: Keep windows and doors closed on high pollen days.

If: If you are allergic to your pet, keep it out of the bedroom.

Get: Get a nice air purifier that has a uv light and can generate a low level of ozone.

Rotation: Myth: rotation diets work. Wrong! for real food allergies, rotation diets do not work.

The: The detection of allergic antibody to a food by lab or skin test is not conclusive proof of allergy.

A: A nettipot can be useful in clearing out the nasal passages.

Avoiding: Avoiding peanut/nut beyond 4-6 months will not decrease the risk of developing these food allergies.

Some: Some topical nasal steroids sprays have shown good effects on eye itching from allergies.

Allergy: Allergy testing with pre-pen and penicillin g can accurately diagnose people with penicillin allergy.

Allergy: Allergy shots in children may prevent the development of allergic asthma.

Keep: Keep windows closed if you are allergic to pollen outside.

A: A common allergic reaction to an antiobiotic may be a skin rash. Watch for signs of a reaction.

Wear: Wear a mask when around known allergens.

Epinephrine: Epinephrine is the most effective drug for treating anaphylaxis especially when given early.

Zyrtec (cetirizine): Zyrtec (cetirizine) at night is usually the best antihistamine for kids.

Dust: Dust mites do not grow well at high altitudes or where it is very dry.

Sublingual: Sublingual (oral) allergy drops (as of 1/2013) cannot be billed to your insurance (only injectables).

If: If you need to use a rescue inhaler (albuterol) more than twice per week, see your doctor.

Allegra (fexofenadine): Allegra (fexofenadine) 180 mg once a day is the best antihistamine if others make you tired.

Avoid: Avoid using otc nasal sprays like afrin for more than 3 days amonth. Speak to your doctor instead.

Steroid: Steroid injections are not standard of care for allergies anymore. Safer treatments available.

Low: Low dose allergy shots are likely to provide ineffective symptom control (seek expert care).

Sublingual: Sublingual (oral) allergy drops, as of 1/2013 are not an fda approved treatment option.

Allergy: Allergy shots, if given at appropriate doses, can cure allergies.

Allergy: Allergy shots are the only proven long term treatment of allergies.

Kids: Kids severely allergic to jello/gelatin should see an allergist ; avoid gelatin-containing vaccines.

Eat: Eat some honey that was made locally. This can get your body used to pollen that is around.

Allergy: Allergy injections can be given to children as young as 4 yrs old and may prevent asthma development.

Claritin (loratadine): Claritin (loratadine) , a weak antihistamine, is a good bet if you're worried about side effects.

Allergy: Allergy shots are considered when patients experience medication side-effects or intolerances.

Avoid: Avoid taking pills daily that can have other health effects.

A: A good vacuum , clean filters on the ac/ heat and thorough house cleaning can have big impact.

Try: Try lavaging your nasal pasages & sinuses with salt h2o at night. Washes off allergens/less symptoms.

Start: Start your seasonal allergy medications just prior to the season start to ensure good protection.

If: If you have significant dust mite allergies, sleeping on a foam or latex mattress will help!

Start: Start taking Allegra (fexofenadine) 180 mg every night for next 3 months.

Don't: Don't smoke, especially around children. They will have more allergies and upper airway infections!

Most: Most people have runny/itchy eyes & nose with sneezing as allergy symptoms.

This: This picture is not the way to use a nasal spray! when it's in your throat & you taste it, it doesn't work!

Generic: Generic singulair (montelukast) and h2 blockers work well together! they work synergisticaly!

Wash: Wash the pet at least weekly to decrease dander; even hairless pets have dander.

Intranasal: Intranasal steroid sprays used for allergic rhinitis can also decrease eye redness, itching, watery.

Recent: Recent recommendation is that even patients with egg allergy can receive influenza vaccine safely!

MMR: Mmr vaccine is not made in egg/chicken embryo, so safe for egg allergic patients.

One: One of the best strategies for those with allergies is to get a good air filter and/or ionizer.

Nasal: Nasal sprays for allergies now come in both "wet" and "dry, aerosol" forms. Something for everyone!

Singulair (montelukast): Singulair (now generic montelukast) helps treat asthma, allergies and exercise-induced asthma.

Some: Some patients with latex allergy can be allergic to banana, chestnut, kiwi and avocado.

Tree: Tree pollen allergies making you cry? Wash your face. And consider washing hair and pillow case too.

Allergies: Try wearing a mask outdoors and sun glasses to protect eyes. It helps and you are healthy. Try claritin (loratadine).

Allergie-free: Allergie-free pillow covers can work wonders if you have a dust mite allergy.

If: If child spits out meds, hold nose closed gently, put liquid in mouth, close mouth, open nose , blow.

Not: Not enough evidence that maternal diet during pregnancy or breast feeding affects infant allergies.

Seasonal: Seasonal allergies can be helped by eating honey made locally in your area.

High: High ige levels predict likelihood of having a reaction, but not the severity of a food reaction.

For: For true food allergies, rotation diets don't work and igg antibody testing is not useful.

When: When eyes itch nothings better than a cold washcloth wrung out & gently placed over the face for a few minutes.

Do: Do allergy proof your bedroom if you have dust mite allergies! air cleaner can help too!

Generic: Generic singulair (montelukast) works well with Claritin in better treating inhalant allergies!

During: During pollen season try showering and washing hair before bed, since pollen can accumulate in hair.

Don't: Don't line dry clothing outdoors on high-pollen days, as it will adhere to your clothing and linens.

During: During pollen/mold season, keep windows closed and use ac.

Try: Try to stay indoors when pollen/mold counts are high.

When: When traveling by car during pollen seasons, keep windows closed and use ac.

If: If you are allergic to dust mites, remove carpeting from the bedroom.

Allergic: Allergic to house dust? Encase mattress, boxspring and pillows in mite proof encasings.

Allergic: Allergic to stinging insects? Wear closed toes shoes and avoid going barefoot when outdoors.

Dust: Dust mite allergy? Wash bed linens in hot water weekly to destroy dust mite allergens.

Dust: Dust mite allergy sufferers should wash all bedding in hot water every 2 weeks.

Allergy: Allergy sufferers can use washable throw rugs if washed every 2 weeks in hot water.

Use: Use air conditioning to reduce humidity in the bedroom and decrease dust mite growth.

Keep: Keep pets out of the bedroom of allergy sufferers whenever possible.

The: The volatile oils in ginger have long made it a useful herbal remedy for nasal and chest congestion.

If: If you can, get rid of carpeting and replace it with throw rugs or just plain hardwood or linoleum.

Simplify.: Simplify. Don't have a lot of trinkets and things on surfaces. They collect dust.

Shut: Shut the doors and windows when pollen counts are high.

Taking: Taking a shower and changing your clothes will help wash away any allergens.

Leaving: Leaving your shoes at the door will help keep you from tracking allergens through your home.

If: If you have allergies, try to get at least 200 ius of vitamin d daily.

An: An n95 respirator mask, from most drug and medical supply stores, will block 95% of small particles.

Children: Children who ate a diet high in fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts have fewer allergy symptoms.

A: A nasal rinse cleans mucus from your nose and can help relieve nasal allergy symptoms.

If: If you're feeling congested or have postnasal drip from your allergies, try getting more fluids.

Keeping: Keeping your home clean and dust-free is one of the best ways to keep indoor allergens at bay.

Inhaling: Inhaling steam can help the discomfort of nasal congestion and can ease breathing with allergies.

Avoid: Avoid cigarette smoke, harsh chemicals (like cleaners), and other fumes.

Filter: Filter your tap water and keep your faucets clean and sanitized.

Regularly: Regularly swap out your hand and dish towels with clean dry ones.

Wipe: Wipe down your bed frames. They get very dusty.

Prune: Prune your plants. The leaves get dusty.

Use: Use a hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers.

The: The flowering plant of the mulberry tree can be a powerful allergen.

You: You can get rid of dust mites and mold by washing bedding in 130-degree water weekly.

Wipe: Wipe bathroom walls with chlorine-bleach solution (1 oz.Bleach to 1 qt.Water) to keep fungus at bay.

Crumbs: Crumbs and overflowing garbage lure mice and roaches—and their droppings can aggravate allergies.

Dust: Dust weekly. Wash blankets and throw rugs in hot water (or have them dry-cleaned).

Cockroach: Cockroach allergy symptoms can include: irritated eyes, nose or throat, itchy skin, and asthma.

Wear: Wear shoes outdoors if you live in the vicinity of fire ants. Ouch - painful sting!

Fire: Fire ant allergy can be cured with allergy shots (immunotherapy).

Wear: Wear a medic alert bracelet if you have a fire ant allergy.

Fire: Fire ant sting pustules take 3 to 10 to days to heal.

Fire: Fire ant sting pustules should be washed with soap & water & dried. Do do pop the pustule.

The: The use of professional exterminator services may be needed for fire ant infestations.

If: If working outside in areas w fire ants wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes, socks & gloves.

If: If you agitate a fire ant mound they will simply make another mound nearby. Use fire ant bait.

Fire: Fire ant stings - large local reactions - apply ice & elevate. Consider antihistamines and nsaid's.

The: The best way to get answers to your suspected allergy symptoms is to get skin tested. Gold standard.

For: For nasal allergies don't ask for a steroid shot; do ask for current standard of care.

Stuffy: Stuffy nose, swollen eyes, itchy skin, worn out? Get allergy tested!

Can't: Can't say enough about over the counter nasal wash. Flushing out all that stuff is so refreshing.

Children: Children with food allergies are at increased risk for bullying and harassment. Be proactive.

Do: Do take medicine before your allergies flare. Don't wait to treat. Prevention requires less meds.

Do: Do carry an epi-pen in each car that a person travels in just in case that cookie has peanuts ....

The: The only "cure" to allergies is allergy shots. Everything else is a temporary fix for the problem.

Save: Save money by buying allergy meds in quantity when they are on sale & remind children to take daily.

Probiotics: Probiotics may be of benefit in preventing atopic dermatitis (eczema).

There: There is cross-reactivity among various types of milk (such as cow, goat, and sheep milk).

Allergy: Allergy shots reduce costs of care in adults & children with hay fever by over 30% within 3 months.

Rinsing: Rinsing or the nose with saline can reduce nasal allergy.

Avoid: Avoid using humidifiers, the humidity helps mold and dust mites grow and thrive.

Nasal: Nasal saline rinse and showering at night after day out helps hay fever.

Know: Know the difference between a true allergy to a drug and a side effect or uncommon reaction.

Encourage: Encourage your children to take their allergy medicine daily. Not just in response but before!

Wiping: Wiping a dog down with a wet towel was just as effective as commercially available allergen removers.

Drink: Drink "benifuuki" green tea daily for month preceding and during your allergy season.

Use: Use locally harvest honey to help build immunity to local allergens.

Make: Make an appointment now for spring allergy season. Begin meds before pollen arrives.

Each: Each year and each season is different. An otc allergy med that didn't work before might now.

Try: Try nasal irrigation with saline-sodium bicarbonate rinses daily for improved health year long.