Avoid pollutants in your car.

The early morning hours in spring are the worst times 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 allergens in the morning can cause a dual phase allergy response," indicates Ellen L. Garibaldi, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of allergy and immunology, Saint Louis University 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."

Commuters significantly can 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:

* Keep windows rolled up at all times.

* Use the recirculating air option in your car instead of pulling fresh air in from outside.

* Past water damage to carpet and upholstery requires a mold-directed cleanup or replacement.

* If you or a family member has pet allergies, never let your...