from pollen for a few hours every day should produce a general improvement in the long run, with your nose and airways becoming less inflamed.

Unfortunately, some plants, like ryegrass and ragweed, produce allergenic fragments much smaller than pollen grains. These tiny particles take up to 6 hours to settle.

Some plants even produce "volatiles" -- airborne chemicals that provoke symptoms. Birch trees release volatiles from their buds in early spring, weeks before the pollen itself is released, and they affect a great many people, including some who are not allergic to birch pollen. Volatiles can only be removed by masks and air filters that contain an activated carbon filter.

To cut down on the amount of pollen you inhale at home:

Dry all your laundry indoors during the pollen season, to stop it from collecting pollen.

Pets bring in pollen on their fur, so keep them outdoors during the pollen season, and avoid stroking them. Brushing them thoroughly before they come in is another option, but obviously the allergic individual should not do this.

Close the windows, especially at times when the offending pollen is being released, and during the evening or nighttime "pollen shower."

Change your clothes when you arrive home, since they will be coated with pollen, and wash or rinse your hair. Keep some clothes for indoor use only.

Aim for still air (no drafts, no fans, and no vigorous movement) in the rooms where the allergic individual works, sits, or sleeps. Air currents stir up pollen from the floor and furnishings. (No drafts mean poor ventilation, of course, which is acceptable during the pollen season -- but ventilate again afterward, to avoid encouraging molds and dust mites.)

If tranquil air is an impossibility, consider getting a high-quality air filter, or air conditioning. Alternatively, wet-dust and vacuum every day using a vacuum cleaner that keeps allergen particles in -- to reduce the amount of pollen residue. People who are very sensitive may need to do this as well as having an air filter.

Cover your armchair and bed with a sheet by day. In the evening, fold the sheet up very gently and wash it. This removes the layer of pollen that accumulates during the day. If studying, cover your desk and books when you are not working.

Places to Go, Places to Avoid

For the grass-sensitive, mown grass is usually fine (it won't flower), although some people react to skin contact with grass. However, pollen that has settled on the grass may be stirred up while the grass is actually being mown. Unmown grass does not flower and will cause symptoms. Wheat, barley, oats, and corn, although they are grasses, rarely cause problems. Rye and sugarcane do release pollen, and may affect some people.

The levels of most pollens do not differ much between town and country. In fact, the upper floors of a high-rise building (with the air conditioning off) may be one of the worst places, because of pollen rising on warm air currents.

The seashore is often pollen-free thanks to onshore breezes. Mountain peaks and ridges are also good, but deep mountain valleys can be pollen traps.

Places that often suffer from "inversions" (air trapped at ground level) can have very high levels of pollen.