Every spring I watch my daughter struggle with her severe mold allergy. Never fails, as the snow melts and the ground starts to dry up and the winds blow - her eyes get red and itchy, nose starts running, sometimes hives appear, and than the constant cough. So come spring, we do not get the luxury of opening up the windows to let in the fresh air and the weekend I decide to do "spring cleaning" she gets to leave (very happily leave, I might add).
We have come to manage these allergies better by knowing what we can and can't do, here are a few:
1. We use a whole-home air cleaner attached to the heating and cooling system. I would never go with out one. It was one of the first things I had installed when we moved into our new home two years ago. The key is to leave your thermostat on constant fan, as the system will always be circulating the air and cleaning it.
2. She uses a nasal wash every night during the spring months in order to remove spores and other allergens. I swear by these and have even started using them myself when I get sinus infections. I have spoken to several allergists at some of the trade shows I have attended and they have all recommended them.
3. No hanging her clothes or bedding out on the clothes line. It kills me to have to use the dryer this time of year so I hang out as much as I can. The dryer helps remove spores from the clothes and bedding - so even between washings I throw her bedding in on high for 10 minutes.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Fighting Like Cats & Dogs with Pet Allergies?
Is your family pet creating an irritating living environment? According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma&Immunology, approximately 42 million Americans suffer from some sort of pet allergy. A recent article on CNN.com http://tinyurl.com/d634fp discusses why 10 million people own pets even though they are allergic to them. Not a suprise, as most people consider their pets members of the family.
Pet allergy symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and rashes, all which can range from moderate to severe. Allergy-suffering pet owners are calling out for a solution, as getting rid of Fluffy or Fido does not seem to be an option. According to a recent survey, 75 percent of allergy suffering pet owners would never consider getting rid of their pet and 83 percent would never do it.
Previous misconceptions have caused pet owners to believe the fur of cats and dogs provoked allergies. However, recent research has shown that allergy symptoms are the result of proteins secreted by oil glands in the animal’s skin. These also are produced in the animal’s saliva, which sticks to the fur when the pet grooms itself. Once these proteins dry, they can float into the air and cause allergic reactions. Cats are more likely to cause allergic reactions, since they groom themselves and spend more time in the house than dogs.
Experts offer several suggestions to help combat allergies from pets:
• Make your bedroom off-limits
• Confine them to one area of the home
• Keep the pet outdoors
• Bathe the pet once a week
• Brush your pet
• Wash your hands after handling the pet
Pet allergy symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and rashes, all which can range from moderate to severe. Allergy-suffering pet owners are calling out for a solution, as getting rid of Fluffy or Fido does not seem to be an option. According to a recent survey, 75 percent of allergy suffering pet owners would never consider getting rid of their pet and 83 percent would never do it.
Previous misconceptions have caused pet owners to believe the fur of cats and dogs provoked allergies. However, recent research has shown that allergy symptoms are the result of proteins secreted by oil glands in the animal’s skin. These also are produced in the animal’s saliva, which sticks to the fur when the pet grooms itself. Once these proteins dry, they can float into the air and cause allergic reactions. Cats are more likely to cause allergic reactions, since they groom themselves and spend more time in the house than dogs.
Experts offer several suggestions to help combat allergies from pets:
• Make your bedroom off-limits
• Confine them to one area of the home
• Keep the pet outdoors
• Bathe the pet once a week
• Brush your pet
• Wash your hands after handling the pet
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