How do I care for someone with perennial allergic rhinitis?

If someone in your care has perennial allergic rhinitis, you should do your best to eliminate the allergen from the person's environment. This may involve removing draperies and carpets, frequent cleaning, using special air filters, using dehumidifiers, running the air conditioning, and replacing down pillows and comforters with synthetic ones. In addition, you may want to use over-the-counter antihistamines to relive their mild symptoms. You can use over-the-counter oral decongestants as directed to relieve congestion. Discuss with your Doctor the use of over the counter medications if you have any medical conditions.
If you are caring for a child, do not use a decongestant nasal spray. Watch for symptoms of infections caused by the rhinitis, such as ear infections or a sinus infection.