Coping with allergies at work can be a challenge. Try these tips from Steven Rubinstein, M.D., an allergist at PAMF's Mountain View Center.

1. Wash your hands as soon as possible after being outdoors to avoid pring pollens into your work space.
   
2. Avoid eating lunch outdoors to limit exposure to pollen.
   
3. Eliminate fabric-covered items in your work space. Don't bring chair pillows or collectible stuffed animlas into your work space—they can harbor allergens and dust mites.
   
4. Keep your car windows up when driving. Use the "recirculate air" setting to keep the fresh air in and pollen out of the car during your commute.
   
5. Use an over-the-counter saline nose rinse. These rinses flush allergens and other irritants out of the nose before they can cause symptoms. Keep a supply in your desk drawer.
   
6. Take non-drowsy-formula allergy medication. These medications are safe, available without a prescription, can ease allergy symptoms within an hour of taking them and won't put you to sleep during your next meeting.
   
7. Ask your doctor about using a prescription cortison nose spray. These sprays can prevent the allergic reaction that causes symptoms.

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Looking for an allergist?

Our allergists/immunologists can help you avoid the uncomfortable symptoms of allergy seaseon. We evaluate patients with sinus and nasal symptoms, including hay fever and sinus infections, bronchopulmonary conditions such as asthma, allergic skin condistions such as eczema and hives, and food and medication allergies and intolerances.

We also now offer allergy and immunology services at our Mountain View and Redwood Shores Centers in addition to our other clinic locations. To find an allergist, visit PAMF's Web site at pamf.org/allergy.

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