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Allergy Management Suggestions

What you can do

  • Avoid what you are allergic to.

  • Keep your pet out of your bedroom.

  • Put a hypoallergenic dust cover on your bed mattress and pillow.

  • Limit stuffed animals in a child's bedroom to 1 or 2 favorites.

  • Dust with a damp cloth and mop regularly.

  • Remove as many rugs and carpets from the house as possible.

  • Vacuum regularly (once a week) with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.

  • Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Medications that can help

Antihistamines commonly used:

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec) once a day.
  • Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimetron) 4 times a day.
  • Clemastine (Tavist) twice a day.
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 4 times a day.
  • Fexofenadine (Allegra) once a day.
  • Loratadine (Claritin) or (Alavert) once a day.

  • Use antihistamine one hour before you expect to encounter something you are allergic to.

Decongestants:

  • Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE 4 times a day
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) 4 times a day.

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Last reviewed December 29, 2007