Obviously, before this strategy can be attempted, the specific allergen which is causing the symptoms has to have been definitively identified. This done, every effort can be made to try to avoid exposure to the culprit, although this is not always easy.
First and foremost, rigorous attention to conditions at home can often reduce the level or frequency of contact with certain allergens.
How an allergen can best be avoided obviously depends on the nature of the allergy
Allergies to foods and drugs 
It goes without saying that you should not be eating or drinking anything to which you are allergic. However, constant vigilance is often necessary when it comes to "hidden" allergens in both food and drugs.
Contact allergy Avoiding the allergen in this case means making sure that you never come into physical contact with it.
Allergies to dust mites The interior of the house (with special attention to the bedroom) should be reorganised with a view to reducing the number of these microscopic organisms and their droppings (responsible for the allergic symptoms).
The fight against dust mites: how to improve your chances of success? Dust mites are happiest above all in bedding which combines all of the conditions favorable for their development (heat, moisture, and, most importantly, food in the form of our squamous cells [dead skin]!).
To reduce their numbers:
- Control the temperature in the bedroom (no higher than 18° 19°C) and air it out regularly (for at least 30 minutes every day, even when it is cold outside), especially when it is hot and damp in the room
- Cut down on the humidity inside rooms
- Remove any upholstered items that cannot be washed at a temperature of 60°C (stuffed animals, cushions) as well as dust traps (curtains, carpets)
- Dust furniture and vacuum on a regular basis
- Use medical-quality, anti-dust mite covers on mattresses, pillows, quilts and bolsters as a barrier to prevent any contact with the dust mites.
Pollen allergies Pollen is the most difficult allergen to avoid because there is no way to remove it from nature! Pollen grains are so small that we cannot see them, and they are carried by the wind!
However, a few measures can reduce pollen exposure:
- Avoid picnics and walks during the pollen season (spring and summer)
- Wash your hair and change your clothes after a walk in the countryside
- Avoid mowing the lawn or being present while the lawn is being mowed
- During the pollen season, use an air conditioner rather than leaving the windows wide open.
- How to find out when the pollen season occurs?
You can consult the pollen calendar for your region to find out when the pollen count of the pollen causing your allergy is at its highest. In France, you can visit the web site of the RNSA (Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique or the French National Aerobiological Monitoring Network) for daily regional pollen counts.
Allergies to animal dander (hair, squamous cells) Avoid contact with pets and the places where they spend a lot of time (kennels). Sometimes, the pet may need to be removed from the family environment, which may be very hard to bear if the attachment to the animal is strong.
Warning!
While these preventive avoidance measures can be implemented with good results, they do not completely eliminate sources of allergens. In addition, they cannot be applied with the same level of effectiveness to all environmental allergens.
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