Non-pharmacologic therapy refers to treatment that does not involve medicine. Allergy sufferers have several options for drug-free treatment of their symptoms, depending on the allergen triggers.

The best treatment for your allergies is avoidance. While medications will help you deal with the symptoms, they do little to help treat the problem long-term.

If you are suffering from hay fever (allergies to pollen, pet dander and mold), there are a few simple things you can do to reduce these allergens in your home.

  • Keep doors and windows closed, especially on windy days and during pollen season, using air-conditioning when necessary.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are high; if you must go outside, wear sunglasses to keep pollen from your eyes.
  • Encase your mattress and pillows in dust mite-proof cases. Wash all your bedding in hot water at least once a week.
  • Remove carpeting from your home and replace with easy to clean material such as hardwood or linoleum. If the wall-to-wall carpeting cannot be removed, vacuum and shampoo the carpet regularly.
  • Use only washable window coverings, such as cotton or synthetic curtains.
  • During pollen season, keep your windows closed.
  • Get rid of clutter; this means removing any knickknacks that sit on tables collecting dust.
  • Invest in a HEPA air filtration system to remove small allergen particles from the air.
  • Keep potted plants out of the house – either plant them outside or give them away.
  • Avoid using a wood-burning fireplace or stove; the smoke will worsen respiratory allergies.
  • Wash the sink regularly and don’t let dishes pile up; this can create a breeding ground for mold.
  • Wash or replace moldy shower curtains and bathmats.
  • Nasal irrigation – rinsing the nasal passages with a saltwater solution, using a bulb syringe or Neti pot – can help reduce the symptoms of hay fever.
  • Keep your house at 68 F to 72 F. Dust mites and mold breed best in hot humid conditions.
  • Don’t allow smoking inside your home.
  • Make sure to bathe pets once a week and keep them out of your bedroom and off the furniture.

Call ENT Specialists of Metairie at (504) 889-5335 for more information or to schedule an appointment.