Tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:

• Try to garden on rainy, cloudy and windless days – pollen levels are typically lower.

• Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can help reduce symptoms.

• Whenever working around plants likely to cause an allergic reaction, avoid touching your eyes or face.

• Consider wearing a mask to reduce the amount of pollen spores that you breathe in.

• Wear gloves, long sleeves and trousers to minimise skin contact with allergens.

• Leave gardening tools and clothing – such as gloves and shoes – outside to avoid bringing allergens indoors.

• Shower immediately after gardening.

People with allergies can also minimise reactions by choosing low allergen plants for their garden.

See also Low Allergen Gardening article.

First published in August 2008

Top of page