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May is Allergy
Awareness Month |
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Allergies are diseases of the immune
system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens."
Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year or where
symptoms appear on the body: indoor and outdoor allergies (also called
"hay fever," "seasonal," "perennial" or "nasal" allergies), food and
drug allergies, latex allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies and
eye allergies. People who have allergies can live healthy and active
lives. There are some simple things you can do to prevent
allergies at home, work school, outside and when you travel. |
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At Home
Dust to control mites. By dusting surfaces and washing bedding often,
you can control the amount of dust mites in your home.
Vacuum often. Although cleaning can sometimes trigger allergic
reactions, with dust in the air, vacuuming once or twice a week will
reduce the surface dust mites. Wear a mask when doing housework and
consider leaving for a few hours after you clean to avoid allergens in
the air. You can also make sure your vacuum has an air filter to capture
dust.
Reduce pet dander. If you have allergies, you should avoid pets with
feathers or fur like birds, dogs and cats. Animal saliva and dead skin,
or pet dander , can cause allergic reactions. If you can’t bear to part
with your pet, you should at least keep it out of the bedroom.
Shut out pollen. When you clean your windows, do you see a film of
pollen on the frame or sill? One easy way to prevent pollen from
entering your home is to keep windows and doors closed. Use an air
filter and clean it regularly or run the air conditioner and change the
filter often.
Avoid mold spores. Mold spores grow in moist areas. If you reduce the
moisture in the bathroom and kitchen, you will reduce the mold. Fix any
leaks inside and outside of your home and clean moldy surfaces. Plants
can carry pollen and mold too, so limit the number of houseplants.
Dehumidifiers will also help reduce mold. |
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At Work.
Allergies at home and work are similar and affect millions of people
each year. Allergy symptoms, like sneezing, nasal congestion and
headache, may make it difficult to concentrate. Every work environment
will have specific allergy problems so talk to your health care provider
or pharmacist about how you can prevent allergies at your specific
workplace.
At School.
Children may face allergens in the classroom and playground. In fact,
children in the United States miss about two million school days each
year because of allergy symptoms. Parents, teachers and health care
providers can work together to help prevent and treat childhood
allergies. Monitor the classroom for plants, pets or other items that
may carry allergens. Encourage your child to wash his/her hands after
playing outside. Many of the allergens in the home will also be found at
school. Although it may not be an option to vacuum or dust the
classroom, there may be treatment options to help a child manage his/her
symptoms during the school day.
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Outside.
There are certain times during the year when plants and trees release
pollen into the air. The timing of these pollen seasons depends on your
geographic location. Different regions have different types of plants
that pollinate at different times. Depending on where you live, allergy
seasons may be mild or severe. Experts estimate that 35 million
Americans suffer from allergies because of airborne pollen!
Tiny particles that are released from trees, weeds and grasses are known
as pollen. These particles are carried by the wind from tall treetops
all the way to your nose. But before you shrug off fancy flowers in fear
of sniffles, remember that the types of pollen that most commonly cause
your allergies are from plain-looking plants, such as trees, grasses and
weeds. These plants produce small and light pollen, perfect for catching
a ride on a gentle breeze.
Similar to pollen, mold spores are a seasonal pest. If you are sensitive
to mold spores, you may have symptoms from spring to late fall. Yet,
even after the first frost of winter, some mold spores can continue to
grow in freezing temperatures. The severity of your mold spore allergies
can depend on the climate that you live in. In the warmest areas of the
United States, mold spores grow all year! But before you move to
Antarctica, remember that mold spores also grow indoors, making it a
year-round problem. |
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Traveling.
We are all on the go and there are a few things to keep in mind to
prevent outdoor allergies during peak season, when the pollen count is
high.
Stay inside during peak pollen times, usually between 10:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m.
Keep your car windows closed when traveling
Stay indoors when humidity is high and on days with high wind, when dust
and pollen are more likely to be in the air
Wear a facemask if you are outside to limit the amount of pollen you
inhale
Shower after spending time outside to wash away pollen that collects on
your skin and hair
Planes,
Trains and Automobiles.
If you suffer from allergies, there may be other concerns when you
travel. The allergy climate may be different than the one where you
live. When you travel by car, bus or train, you may find dust mites,
mold spores and pollen bothersome. Turn on the air conditioner or heater
before getting in your car and travel with the windows closed to avoid
allergens from outside. Travel early in the morning or late in the
evening when the air quality is better.
When flying to your favorite vacation spot, remember that air quality
and dryness on planes can affect you if you have allergies. If a cruise
is your next vacation, be aware of the season and temperature at your
destination(s). In tropical, damp climates there are allergens like dust
mites, mold spores and pollen. In cold, damp climates, you may be
exposed to dust mites and mold spores. Once you arrive at your hotel,
there may be dust mites and mold spores lurking. If you are staying with
family or friends, the same types of allergens that you find at home may
be present.
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For more information, visit Asthma & Allergy Foundation Association |
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