Breathe Easier
Reducing allergy triggers may be as easy as 1-2-3.
It’s easy to take breathing for granted—we all do it 30,000 times a day—until something like asthma or allergies interferes.
Generally speaking, what’s good for keeping allergies at bay will also serve well for subduing asthma. Andy Nish, M.D., president of Allergy & Asthma Care Center in Gainesville, Ga., explains that up to 80% of asthmatics also have allergies, and research shows that reducing exposure to allergens “leads to better control of both hay fever and asthma.”
Here are three simple ways to keep allergens away.
- Shut your closet doors. Sounds simple, but Nish says it helps because it keeps your clothes away from the dust mites that can trigger indoor allergies. When pollen counts are high, you should even shower and change clothes after coming in from outdoors.
- Check pollen and mold spore counts at the National Allergy Bureau Web site (www.aaaai.org/nab), suggests John Duplantier, M.D., an asthma and allergy expert at Central Indiana Allergy. Plan outdoor activities for lower-pollen days. When pollen counts are high, keep your windows closed in the house as well as your car, and use the “recirculate” option in your car’s air conditioning.
- Go low-tech for indoor allergies (dust mites, animal dander, mold). Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers, vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum, and keep animals out of the bedroom, says Duplantier.
Vital Statistic
According to a nationwide survey, more than half (54.6%) of all U.S. citizens test positive for one or more allergens.
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005) 116: 377-383
Clean Your Way to Allergy Relief
Is your home making your asthma worse? It’s likely, says a report recently published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Results from a new national survey demonstrate that elevated allergen levels in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals. The findings show that exposure to multiple indoor allergens is common in U.S.
households, with 52% having at least six detectable allergens at high levels. So, what can you do? More regular house cleaning may be part of the answer, suggest researchers. Interestingly, homes with children were less likely to have high allergen levels. Researchers speculate that’s because homes with kids may be cleaned more frequently.
