More than 106 million people in the U.S.[1] experience different types of allergies each year. Managing your allergies will vary depending on their severity and the frequency with which you encounter the allergens you’re sensitive to. One effective way to prevent symptoms before they start is to implement an allergen-avoidance plan.
What’s an Allergen Avoidance Plan?
An allergen avoidance plan is your method for avoiding contact with allergens that trigger your immune system.
Schedule an Allergy Test
The first step in creating your allergen avoidance plan is to identify which allergens you need to cut out of your life. The best way to do that is with a skin or blood allergy test. After you’ve identified which allergens to avoid, you can start finding ways to cut them out of your life.
How To Create Your Plan
Your avoidance plan will vary based on which allergens you’re focused on. Avoiding foods you’re allergic to comes down to reading nutrition labels, avoiding cross-contamination and, if your allergies are severe, informing your favorite Tulsa restaurants before ordering. Avoiding environmental allergens is a little less cut-and-dried.
Environmental allergens, like pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander, can creep into your life, often beyond your control; limiting your exposure as much as possible is the best way to reduce your risk of a reaction. For example, checking The Weather Channel for local pollen counts and scheduling outdoor time when the count is low will reduce your reaction to pollen from grass, trees and weeds.
Cleaning your house regularly is another way you can minimize your exposure to environmental allergens. Schedule time each week, more often if you have pets, to sweep, mop, vacuum, wash bedding or clean any other areas where allergens are likely to accumulate.
Cleaning and monitoring pollen counts are just a couple of the things you can add to your allergen-avoidance plan. Think about your lifestyle, including your home, hobbies and work, and look for places where you might encounter your allergens. Then, do your best to make swaps, like choosing hypoallergenic pets or using fragrance-free soaps, or cut the allergen out of your life completely, if possible.
For more information on managing allergies or to schedule an allergy test, contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office today.
[1] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2026). Allergy facts, figures, and stats. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-facts/