Pharmacy staff can offer customers guidance to avoid rhinitis:

1. People with AR are advised to avoid the offending allergens but this may not always be easy to achieve – pollen grains get trapped in hair and clothing, and animal dander and house dust mites are difficult to remove altogether. There is no evidence of clinical benefit for using house dust mite-proof bedding, washing bedding at 55-60°C or replacing carpets with hard flooring.
2. People with allergies to specific early-flowering tree pollen may only have to deal with the problem for a few weeks each year. AR sufferers who are sensitised to cats or dogs should avoid contact with them and pets should not be allowed into children’s bedrooms. Complete avoidance of exposure to occupational allergens is usually recommended.
3. Another way to reduce exposure to allergens is to use a cellulose powder nasal spray, which combines with moisture in the lining of the nose to form a protective gel layer that prevents allergens from coming into contact with nasal mucosa. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, the use of a cellulose powder nasal spray three times daily significantly reduced severity scores for sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose and eye and lower airway symptoms, with no significant adverse effects. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of a barrier product based on bentonite gel.
4. Petroleum jelly can be applied around the nostrils and under the eyes to trap airborne allergens and specially formulated barrier balms are also available. These methods are unlikely to be effective in AR sufferers who mainly breathe through their mouth.
5. Another way to reduce allergen exposure is to irrigate the nasal passages with isotonic saline solutions, which can be homemade or there are ready-made products available. These are well tolerated, inexpensive, easy to use and have no evidence of adverse effects. Saline irrigation washes away some allergens and mucus and can improve the effects of drug treatment.
6. The use of a 10-second spray of carbon dioxide from a pressurized container into the nasal airway, with the mouth open, reduces all the symptoms of rhinitis within minutes with the effect persisting for several hours. The mechanism of action is not known.