Types of Allergies

Exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, and in extreme cases, lung disease. Molds are found both indoors and outdoors. As mold grows best in warm, damp areas, typically in the home it is found in showers, bathrooms, basements, and around windowsills. Outdoors, mold can be found anywhere shady and damp such as compost piles, wooded areas, hay, and piles of raked leaves. Areas with the highest mold exposure are farms, mills, construction areas, summer cottages, greenhouses, antique shops, saunas, and flower shops. In addition to avoidance, those sensitive to mold may want to limit houseplants, use a dehumidifier, and reduce moisture in bathrooms and kitchens. Mold growth can be removed with a weak bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallons of water) or white vinegar if you prefer something more natural.

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in beds, blankets, sofas, rugs, stuffed animals, and other places in the home. Dust mites are a major cause of allergy and asthma symptoms. There are many things you can do to get rid of dust mites:

• Wash your bedding weekly in hot water
• Replace feather pillows with synthetic and use dust-mite proof zippered covers
• Encase your mattress in an allergy proof zip cover
• Vacuum carpeting often with a HEPA filter vacuum (or more drastically, replace carpeting with hard flooring)
• Damp dust hard surfaces frequently
• Wash stuffed animals weekly in hot water or enclose in ziplock bag and place in freezer for 24 hours to kill mites.

Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can also be very helpful in reducing your allergy symptoms related to mold and/or dust mite exposure.

Pollens from grasses, trees, and weeds are a major cause of allergy symptoms for the seasonal allergy sufferer. Different pollens peak at different times of the year and seasonal allergy symptoms may last for up to 6 months of the year for many people. Typical symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery, red eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose/itchy nose
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Exacerbation of asthma symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing)

Tips to minimize pollen exposure:

• Keep windows and doors closed
• Stay inside during peak pollen hours (typically 5AM-10AM)
• Shower and wash your hair after being outside
• Don't mow lawns/rake leaves (or if you must, wear a mask)
• Keep car windows closed while driving
• Do not hang out clothes to dry (pollen sticks to fabrics)

Treatment can include minimizing exposure to pollens, taking antihistamines, using nasal sprays or a sinus rinse, and immunotherapy (allergy shots).

Here's a link to check out your local pollen 

Here's a link to check out your local pollen counts: www.pollen.com

Cats and dogs are a common source of indoor allergens. In addition to allergies resulting from the proteins present in their dander, saliva, oil glands and urine/feces, they can track pollens indoors as well. If you are an allergy sufferer, the most effective solution is to remove the cat or dog from the home. Many people do not want to live without their pets, however, so here are some things that can be done to reduce the amount of exposure:

• Keep pets out of the bedroom
• Bathe your pet often
• Vacuum floors/upholstery often with a HEPA filter
• Remove rugs, carpeting and stuffed animals as dander sticks to soft furnishings
• Wash your walls periodically (yes, dander can even stick to walls!)
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with your pet

Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can also be quite helpful in reducing the allergy symptoms you may have from your pet.

A food allergy is an immune system reaction that happens after eating a certain food. Reactions can range from irritating to life threatening. The most common food allergy symptoms include:

• Itching or tingling in the mouth
• Hives
• Eczema
• Swelling of lips/tongue/throat, and/or face
• Nasal congestion
• Wheezing/trouble breathing
• Abdominal pain/nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Dizziness/lightheadedness

A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis, and requires emergency treatment. Symptoms may include:

• Constriction (tightening) of airways
• Shock
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Sensation of lump in the throat that makes it difficult to breathe
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness/lightheadedness/loss of consciousness

Treatment involves avoiding the foods that you are allergic to. Antihistamines can be helpful for a mild reaction. It may also be neccessary to carry an Epi-pen with you if your reactions are severe.

Springtime brings all sorts of fun outdoor activities such as picnics, sports, and hiking, but also something else: stinging insects!  In our area, that includes yellow jackets, honeybees, wasps, and hornets.  Everyone who is stung will react in some way, but up to 5% of the population may experience anaphylaxis from insect stings.

Signs of anaphylaxis from a sting:

• Itching and hives over large areas of the body
• Swelling in the tongue and/or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness/sudden drop in blood pressure
• Stomach cramps/nausea/diarrhea
• Unconsciousness

If you are one of these people, your avoidance of stings needs to be taken very seriously, and immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be helpful to prevent these types of reactions.  

Tips for avoiding insect stings:

• Avoid going barefoot outside
• Be careful when drinking sweet beverages like soda or juice outdoors and keep food covered
• Do not wear brightly colored clothing and perfume when outsidestinging inects could confuse you with a flower
• Avoid the "territory" of insects: yellow jackets nest in the ground and walls, whereas hornets nest in bushes and trees.  If you see a nest or hive, it should be removed (safely by a professional).
• If you do come across stinging insects, calmly and slowly move away from the area