ALLERGIES: What Can You Do After You Detect Cause and Effect Relationships? The following are some steps that may help remove identified problems. For others, much more may be needed, including comprehensive treatment with provocation-neutralization therapy. See Going Deeper Into The Problem for more information, including a list of books and tapes. For Preventing or Minimizing Indoor Problems: Make the inside of the home, school, or work area more allergy-free and environmentally sound. Use cotton, wool, wood, or glass, and avoid vinyl, polyester, nylon, acrylon, and plastics, especially in the bedroom. (For your baby, be aware that disposable diapers are complex petrochemical products that may trigger allergies, including "chemical-burn" rashes, in some babies.) Use non-scented cleaning products that are as benign as possible. Vinegar, for instance, substitutes for many cleaning products, and in many instances borax can take the place of chlorine. It can be very helpful to use dehumidifiers to inhibit mold growth and air purifiers to remove dust, pollen, and chemicals from the air. For Doing The Same With Outdoor Problems: Outdoor pollens and molds that find their way indoors can be treated by using a room air purifier. In the immediate outdoors, you can get rid of chemical lawn treatments. If grass clippings are a problem, prompt removal is the answer. Chemical air pollution is a thorny problem that may - if feasible - call for you to move to a different area. Some people, or course, go so far as moving to a drier locale to avoid molds and heavy pollens. A shorter move, to a different neighborhood and/or the upwind side of a highway or freeway can sometimes take care of auto or business-related pollution. Food Allergies: Indoors or out, food allergies can trigger some of the most powerful, frightening reactions in children. Dr. Rapp's book, Is This Your Child?, is definitely a resource to consult on this complex and very important issue. BACK TO: Allergies and Chemical Sensitivities..