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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

There's no proven way to avoid getting hay fever in the first place. However, doctors think reducing a child's exposure to allergy-causing substances such as dust mites may help delay or prevent hay fever — but the evidence isn't clear yet.

If you have hay fever, the best thing you can do is to take steps to lessen your exposure to the allergens that cause your symptoms. Take allergy medications before you're exposed to allergens, as directed by your doctor. If you know you're going to be exposed to hay fever triggers, start taking your medication before your symptoms start, if your doctor recommends it.

References
  1. Weber RW. Allergic rhinitis. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:1.
  2. Eapen RJ, et al. Allergic rhinitis — History and presentation. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2008;41:325.
  3. deShazo RD, et al. Patient information: Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
  4. Practice parameters for managing allergic rhinitis. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0701/p79.html. Accessed Feb. 25, 2010.
  5. deShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
  6. Rabago D, et al. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. American Family Physician. 2009;80:1117.
  7. Tips to remember: Indoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/indoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
  8. Tips to remember: Outdoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
  9. Herbs and other dietary supplements. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:173.
  10. Man L. Complementary and alternative medicine for allergic rhinitis. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 2009;17:226.
  11. Naegleria FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2011.
DS00174 Jan. 20, 2012

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