If you or your child has hay fever (allergic rhinitis), are outdoor sports off limits? Not at all, according to James Li, M.D., a specialist in allergy, asthma and immunology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

"Any athlete, from preschooler to pro, can have allergic rhinitis and participate in sports," says Dr. Li. "Some professional athletes even compete when their allergic rhinitis should be at its worst. With the right treatment, you can compete in any sport you want."

Some sports may be better than others if you have severe allergies to outdoor pollens or molds.

If you're just beginning to compete, take a look at indoor sports or ones in which competitions take place during winter months. You'll likely encounter fewer outdoor airborne allergens, such as pollen. Good choices for indoor or winter sports include:

• Swimming
• Basketball
• Ice hockey
• Indoor volleyball

On the other hand, indoor sports might expose you to indoor molds or dust mites. Ask your doctor to help you determine which setting is best.

Managing hay fever is an important part of training. Classic signs and symptoms — such as a stuffy nose, watery eyes, sneezing and sinus pain — can affect your performance and more importantly, your enjoyment. They can also make it difficult for you to sleep.

Getting an early start can help prevent these problems. "As in sports, the best defense against allergic rhinitis is a good offense," says Dr. Li. "Don't wait until the middle of the season to recognize there's a problem and to start treating it."

• Ask your doctor about your condition before the season starts and how it might affect your chosen activity. Report any new symptoms.

• Inquire about medications to ease symptoms. If you're already taking a medication, ask your doctor to evaluate both it and its dosage. This might be especially important if you're competing at top levels. Some medications, such as oral decongestants, might be considered stimulants and may be banned in some athletics. As the beginning of the sports activity draws closer, make sure you're taking the medication on schedule and aren't skipping doses.

• Inform your child's coach about your child's hay fever. Chances are, other children on the team have the condition. On troublesome days when allergen levels are high, the coach might be able to modify practice routines to help young athletes.

Hay fever can be bothersome, but it shouldn't stop you or your child from participating in the sports you love. "With teamwork, you can successfully manage allergic rhinitis," says Dr. Li.