Allergy-Proof Your Commute

Allergist Offers Ways to Reduce Exposure to Allergens

The early morning is the worst time of day for allergy sufferers to be outside or in their cars, due to high pollen and mold counts. This poses an unavoidable problem for commuters on their way to work.

"Exposure to allergies in the morning can cause a dual-phase allergy response," said Raymond G. Slavin, M.D., director of the division of allergy and immunology at the School of Medicine. "Commuters exposed to pollens and mold early in the morning experience an immediate reaction of itchy eyes, runny nose and cough. Throughout the afternoon, this same morning allergen exposure produces a second wave, the late-phase response, consisting of more subtle symptoms such as nasal obstruction, fatigue and sinus problems. Both the immediate and late-phase symptoms increase when pollution or tobacco smoke are in the car."

But Slavin added that commuters can significantly reduce their exposure to allergens on the way to work and dramatically cut down their allergy symptoms for the rest of the day by including the following environmental control measures in their morning routines.

How to Allergy-Proof Your Car

Keep car windows rolled up at all times.

Use the re-circulating air option in your car versus pulling fresh air in from outside.

Replace or have mold-directed clean-up of past water damage to carpet and upholstery.

If you or a family member have pet allergies, never let your animals in the car. If your pets have been in the car in the past, steam clean the upholstery and wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth.

Wear sunglasses or eye glasses to help shield eyes from pollen grains blowing in the wind. Sunglasses with wrap-around sides are especially helpful.

Wear eye glasses instead of contact lenses on a high pollen count day. Pollen grains get trapped under the contact lens, causing tearing and itching.

Besides using environmental control measures, take antihistamines well ahead of leaving home. They must be digested in order to effectively control allergic reactions.

Another big problem for commuters with allergies is smoke. According to Slavin, smoking in an enclosed car exposes your body to 10 times the Environmental Protection Agency's limit for carbon monoxide in the workplace.

"There are 3,000 chemicals in smoke that can damage the linings of the nose and lungs," Slavin said. "Smoke exposure interferes with the nose's ability to rinse pollen grains and mold spores from nasal passages, thereby aggravating allergy symptoms."

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