Environmental control of outdoor allergens

Outdoor allergens are an important cause of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma, with pollens and moulds being the major outdoor allergens that induce symptoms in atopic patients. Grass pollens are the predominant pollen in South Africa. Rising levels of atmospheric air pollution are linked to the exacerbation of allergic disease. Although pollens and outdoor fungal spores are impossible to avoid completely, measures can be taken to reduce exposure in the outdoor environment and reduce the amount of allergen entering indoors in order to improve disease control.