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    Surviving Spring When You Have Seasonal Allergies

    By Admin • 26 Apr, 2018 •
    When you suffer from seasonal allergies, spring can be an especially difficult season to deal with. When all of the plants are blooming and pollen is in the air, you might feel as though there is no way that you can possibly escape the allergens that make your life miserable.

    Get to know some of the ways that you can survive spring when you have seasonal allergies. Then you can be sure that you take the necessary steps to manage your allergies.

    TAKE AN ANTIHISTAMINE BEFORE GOING OUTDOORS

    One of the best things you can do for your spring allergy symptoms is to take medications to help prevent them from occurring. Antihistamines are your best defense against allergens.

    If you know you will be going outside in the near future, take an antihistamine like Benadryl between thirty minutes and an hour ahead of time. This will allow the antihistamines to take effect before you are exposed to large quantities of outdoor allergens.
    You may also want to take a daily antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin when spring arrives. Take it in the morning shortly after you get out of bed and you will be able to better cope with your allergies throughout the day.

    CHANGE YOUR HOME'S AIR FILTER

    When most people think about exposure to spring allergens, they think about being outdoors. However, those allergens can get inside of your home as well. The best way to combat those allergens inside of your house is to make sure you have a clean air filter as well as the right kind of air filter in your home.

    As such, at the beginning of spring, you will want to change out your air filter. Replace the old one with a HEPA air filter or another version that is specifically designed to keep allergens out of the home. This will help filter out allergens that manage to sneak into your home.

    CLOTHES AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME

    Once you do go outside into the allergen-filled air, you will end up with those allergens on your body. Pollen and other allergens can get into the fibers of your clothing and can easily be carried around with you throughout your day.

    When you get home from being outside, no matter how long you were outdoors, it is a good idea to change clothing. The clothing that is contaminated with pollens will only make your allergy symptoms worse. Fresh, clean clothing will limit the spread of allergens throughout your home and reduce the contact they will have with your body.

    CONSIDER ALLERGY INJECTIONS

    If your spring allergies are especially bad and you cannot function well even with the aforementioned allergy management methods, you may want to consider allergy injections to treat your seasonal allergies.

    Allergy injections provide controlled exposure to allergens. This helps to build up the body's tolerance to those allergens and reduce the severity of the body's reaction to them. Allergy shots have been known to drastically reduce the severity of allergies.
    Simply go to an allergy clinic to start with. The doctors there will perform a skin allergy test on you to determine the specific things you are allergic to. Then they will develop a serum specifically designed for your allergy shots.

    Allergy shots are administered once a week or, sometimes, more frequently. While getting shots now might not help you with this spring as much, you can make sure that next spring is less of a problem than it would be if you did not receive allergy injections.
    Now that you know some of the ways that you can better survive spring when you have seasonal allergies, you can contact an allergy specialist as soon as possible.

    4 Common Myths About Pet Allergies

    By Admin • 20 Feb, 2018 •
    Most allergies, especially common ones like peanuts and shellfish, have common misconceptions that make it harder for allergy sufferers to live on a daily basis. For example, parents might send peanut butter sandwiches to a peanut free classroom with the assumption that a small amount of exposure can't be that bad when it could be deadly.

    Pet allergies also have these myths or misconceptions that people don't understand. Here are some common myths about animal allergies to know the truth about.

    1. If an Animal Doesn't Shed, You Won't Have an Allergic Reaction
    People often think that pet hair causes pet allergies. However, while pet hair can sometimes trigger a reaction, the allergy to pets is caused by an immune response to proteins that animals secrete. These proteins can be found on their skin, in their urine or saliva, and in other secretions.
    Because hair isn't usually the problem, a dog or cat that does not shed will not necessarily be better for a person who is allergic. There are some breeds of dog, for example, that are marketed as hypoallergenic, but people with dog allergies could still potentially get a reaction from one of these dogs. No dogs are truly allergen-free.

    Before investing in a dog or cat that has been bred for its purported hypoallergenic traits, keep a similar animal in your home or visit someone who has one. This way, you won't adopt an animal thinking it will be a solution only to need to re-home the animal later because you still suffer an allergic response.

    2. If You're Allergic to Cats, You'll Also Be Allergic to Dogs
    Dog and cats produce different allergens. Someone can only be allergic to cats, dogs, or another animal, like horses. Don't assume that just because someone has a pet, they are exaggerating about an allergic response to a different animal.

    3. You'll Grow Out of an Animal Allergy
    Many people believe that allergies are mostly a childhood illness. While people can often grow out of allergies of all types, you should not assume that you or someone else will.

    For example, if your child is allergic to dogs, respect the allergy and try to reduce exposure for comfort and health. Your child might discover as a teen or young adult that their symptoms are reduced or that they aren't present anymore. However, remember that symptoms can reappear throughout life for unknown reasons.

    Don't keep pets for the purpose of helping someone acclimate to an allergy. The presence of an animal in the home will not eventually cure someone of an allergic reaction. Some people have a pet allergy that remains constant through adulthood, and there is usually no way to predict who will experience a change and who will not.

    4. Pet Allergies Aren't as Serious as Food Allergies
    Some of the symptoms of pet allergies and food allergies are similar. For example, after a petting a dog, you might get hives, just like somebody might get hives after eating macadamia nuts. Some pet allergies are mild (sneezing, watering eyes), but some can be serious (difficulty breathing, swelling) and require medical attention.

    It's unsafe for you (or anyone) to assume that someone with a pet allergy will just be a little bit uncomfortable if exposed to that animal. People who have asthma, for example, may have a full blown attack in the presence of certain types of animal dander.

    While mild reactions can be managed with over-the-counter medications, pet allergies should be taken as seriously as other types of allergies, especially for people who already struggle with immune response problems.

    For more information, contact us at Allergy & Asthma Centers .

    Understanding The Nature of Asthma in Babies

    By Admin • 04 Jan, 2018 •
    Although wheezing is a common asthma symptom, other conditions, including viral respiratory infections, can also cause this whistling sound as babies breathe in or out. Some babies only wheeze when they have colds or an upper respiratory tract infection. This makes it more challenging for doctors to diagnose asthma in babies.
    Babies whom doctors diagnose with asthma sometimes eventually outgrow wheezing, but asthma symptoms don't always improve as a child grows. Therefore, if your baby numbers among the more than 7 million children in the U.S. affected by asthma, it's important to learn more about this chronic lung disease, particularly its symptoms and treatment.

    Why Wheezing Occurs
    Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that narrows the airways inside the lungs. Although there is no cure for asthma, how often your baby experiences symptoms, in addition to the severity of the symptoms, may change as he or she grows.

    Wheezing is a sign of a blockage in the small airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. These same airways also carry carbon dioxide out of the lungs. When inflammation swells the airways, the muscles around them tighten. As the airways narrow, less air flows into your baby's lungs.
    Narrow airways also trap carbon dioxide inside the lungs — a condition that can affect your infant's lung function.

    How to Recognize Other Signs and Symptoms 
    Symptoms of infant asthma vary, but the types of symptoms are the same as those that older children and adults suffer. Your baby may also be irritable and not feed well. Rapid breathing or shortness of breath can make it difficult for a baby to nurse.

    Other signs that your baby may have asthma include flaring nostrils while breathing, a sucking in of the skin around the ribs when inhaling, and grunting sounds when your infant breathes out. Each of these is a sign that your baby is having difficulty breathing.

    If your baby has allergies, atopic dermatitis, or eczema along with wheezing and a persistent cough, he or she may have asthma, especially if there is a family history of the disease. A nighttime cough, in particular, is often a sign of asthma.

    What Happens During an Asthma Attack
    When your baby has an asthma attack, irritated and swollen airways make it hard for him or her to breathe. During an acute asthma attack, the lining of the airways produces more mucus, which can narrow the airways more. These conditions cause the symptoms of wheezing, coughing, and rapid breathing.

    How to Prevent an Asthma Attack
    Your baby can have an asthma attack if he or she comes into contact with an allergen or other irritant such as dust mites, mold, animal dander, or tobacco smoke. Besides avoiding triggers, there are other ways to stop your baby from having an asthma attack.

    Depending on your baby's age, medications to relieve spasms in the airway can be administered by way of a nebulizer machine or asthma inhaler. Either way, medication known as bronchodilators act quickly to help your baby breathe better.

    A nebulizer machine changes liquid medication into a mist that your baby breathes in through a mask. However, your baby's pediatrician or pediatric allergist may prescribe an inhaler instead. In that case, your baby inhales the medicine through a mask. You administer the medicine by what looks like a small aerosol can that you insert into the mouthpiece of the inhaler.

    How to Prevent Asthma Attacks
    Most children receive more than one medication to control their asthma symptoms. But to prevent asthma attacks from occurring, your child's doctor may prescribe daily inhaled corticosteroids. These medications reduce inflammation in order to help reduce wheezing and other breathing problems.

    Studies show that although inhaled corticosteroid treatment in young children does not prevent the development of chronic asthma, it does provide symptom relief. Results show that children experience less severe and more infrequent symptoms during the time they receive treatment with inhaled corticosteroids.

    Contact the physicians at Allergy & Asthma Centers  if you are worried that your infant may have asthma or if you need more information about the treatment options available.

    Could You Have A Dust Mite Allergy? 8 Indicators

    By Admin • 24 Oct, 2017 •
    Many allergy sources become immediately apparent. For example, if you're allergic to nuts, penicillin or dogs, you likely had a memorable reaction the first time you were ever exposed to the allergen.

    However, some allergies are harder to identify, including dust mite allergies. In this blog, we list eight indicators that can help you determine if you could be one of the 20 million Americans with a dust mite allergy.

    1. Cold-Like Symptoms

    The majority of dust mite allergy symptoms are shared with the common cold. Your symptoms may include:
    • Congestion, runny nose, and sneezing
    • Cough and throat irritation
    • Postnasal drip, or mucus that runs down the throat

    If you have one or more of the other indicators on this list in addition to cold-like symptoms, it's wise to submit to allergy testing.

    2. Facial Tenderness or Pressure

    Dust mite allergies can also resemble sinus infections because one of the most common symptoms is a feeling of pressure or discomfort in the face. This pressure will likely center around your nose, sinuses and eyes.

    3. Family History of Dust Mite Allergies

    While allergies are not strictly genetic, individuals with similar genetic makeups tend to develop sensitivities to the same substances. If you have members of your immediate family with diagnosed dust mite allergies, your risk for this allergy is higher.
    You are also more likely to have a dust mite allergy if your family has a significant history of other allergies.

    4. History of Exposure to Mites

    If you were exposed to dust mites frequently, especially as a child, the repeated exposures could contribute to the development of an allergy. If you lived in a home that was often warm, humid and dusty, you were likely exposed to dust mites on multiple occasions.

    5. Reaction to New Dust Mite Exposure

    While the appearance of dust mite allergy symptoms can appear to have no correlating cause, if you experience a sudden onset of symptoms after likely being exposed to dust mites, you probably have an allergy.

    You are most likely to be exposed to dust mites when:
    • Cleaning a dusty space
    • Sitting on rugs or carpets
    • Sleeping on an infrequently used mattress

    If you develop new or more intense symptoms after exposure, undergo allergy testing.

    6. Seasonal or Climate-Specific Symptoms

    Dust mites only live in certain environments. Generally, mites prefer humidity of 70 percent or more and temperatures of 70℉. Due to these environmental requirements, mites tend to inhabit warm, humid climates and become more active during the summer months.

    7. Swollen or Discolored Area Under Eyes

    In addition to the facial pressure that we discussed in section two, your reaction to dust mites may cause physical changes to the appearance of the area under your eyes. You may develop swelling in the region, often coupled with itchiness and a blueish color.

    8. Symptoms Appear at a Young Age

    A dust mite allergy is most likely to appear during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. However, this early development does not mean that you could not have a dust mite allergy if you just noticed a correlation between your symptoms and exposure as an adult.

    Many children and teenagers with mild dust mite allergies have symptoms so close to the common cold that they are never tested. If you have a history of seasonal sickness as well as some of the other indicators on this list, you may actually have a dust mite allergy rather than a penchant for colds.

    If you experience any of the dust mite allergy signs listed above, schedule a consultation with an allergist. This medical professional will record your symptoms and perform allergy testing to determine whether you have a dust mite allergy.

    This diagnosis can empower you to treat allergy symptoms and avoid potential respiratory complications. For allergy testing and treatment, trust the experienced team at Allergy & Asthma Centers SC .

    7 Tips for Dealing with Fall Allergies

    By Admin • 29 Aug, 2017 •
    If you suffer from fall allergies, you are not alone. The fall season can present challenges for those allergic to mold and ragweed pollen. Plants release pollen and mold into the air, which can hide under fallen leaves. When it comes time to rake leaves in your yard, those allergens can come out and aggravate your symptoms.

    If you have a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and scratchy throat, it can make it difficult to go about your day. However, you can do several things to manage your allergies and live a normal life.

    Wash Your Eyelids

    During the fall, pollen can easily come in contact with your eyes, making them swollen and itchy. As you can imagine, this is not a comfortable feeling. All you want to do is scratch your eyes, but this can ultimately lead to more irritation and infection.

    A better option is to gently rinse your eyelids with water a few times a day. This will help break up the pollen in your eyes.

    Use a Dehumidifier

    Mold and other allergens thrive in a humid environment, so it is important to keep your home dry. An effective way to do this is to purchase a dehumidifier. This device dries out the air in your house, making it a less attractive environment for allergens. When shopping for a dehumidifier, consider the size and dampness of the room you want to use it in.

    For example, if you just want to reduce the humidity in a small damp bedroom, you may want to buy a small-capacity dehumidifier.

    Do Not Leave Your Windows Open

    In early fall, it is usually still warm enough outside to open your windows during the day. However, if you suffer from allergies, you should avoid doing this. Pollen and other outdoor allergens can easily get inside your home through your windows and aggravate your symptoms. If it is stuffy inside your home, just run your air conditioner.

    Take a Warm Shower

    After you come in your house from the outdoors, it is a good idea to take a warm shower. Doing so will rinse pollen and other allergens off your skin. If you take a warm shower, you can also clear up your nasal passages, making it a lot easier to breathe.

    Avoid Certain Foods

    If you have a pollen allergy, there are certain types of foods you should steer clear of. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, do not eat figs, oranges, melons or tomatoes. The body confuses the plant proteins in these foods for pollen, causing an allergic reaction.

    Check Pollen Levels

    It is a good idea to check the pollen levels in your area every morning. If the pollen count is particularly high, you should try to avoid going outdoors as much as possible that day. If you have to go outside, you should wear a mask. It might not look fashionable, but it can save you from being miserable later on.

    Do Not Forget to Take Short-Acting Allergy Medications at Night

    If you use allergy medication that treats symptoms for only six to eight hours, you should remember to take it before you go to bed. Otherwise, you can wake up to watery eyes, a runny nose and other unpleasant symptoms in the morning.

    Dealing with fall allergies can be a pain at times, but it does not have to be unbearable. If you follow these useful tips, you can get relief from your symptoms and feel better. If you want to learn more information about treating fall allergies, you may want to contact Allergy & Asthma Centers.
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