It also helps to avoid air pollution and tobacco smoke that may irritate the nose and airways making them more susceptible to allergens. Several precautions can be taken in pregnancy and the early months of life to help prevent allergies. Smoking during pregnancy seems to increase the risk of allergies developing in the baby . Similarly exposure to high pollen counts and viral infections in the early months of life seems to increase the risk of developing hay fever. Low risk months for birth are those just after the pollen season whereas the high risk time is in the pollen season itself and two to three months before.
Breast feeding is thought to help prevent allergies.
The effects of early exposure are strongest for birch pollen but it is also evident for grass and weeds. The symptoms of hay fever can be controlled in two main ways. One is to avoid the allergens and the other is take medication. Pollen and spores spread over wide distances on the wind and penetrate into houses and vehicles. It is extremely difficult to avoid contact with them completely.