How to Conquer Spring Allergies

For over 35 people in the United States, spring is often synonymous with allergies. Often called "allergic rhinitis," symptoms are usually triggered by allergens such as pollen and dust which initiate an allergic response. When inhaled by allergy sufferers, these allergens combine with an allergic antibody called immunoglobulin (IgE) which is present at very levels in the body. However, in allergy sufferers, IgE is found in large quantities, and according to Gillian Shepherd, MD, chair of the Education Sub-Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, "When the allergen and the IgE combine in the lining of the nose or eyes, the result is the release of chemicals, including histamine. These chemicals cause the allergic symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, nasal congestion or headaches as the body tries to fight off the foreign allergen."

In order to counter these allergy symptoms, both over-the-counter and prescription medications are readily available such as antihistamines, decongestants, combination medicines, corticosteroids, and others. These serve to help ease annoying symptoms such as congestion and runny nose. Moreover, allergy shots can be administered in order to increase one's ability to tolerate allergens. However, to further allergy-proof your home, you can also follow these easy steps:

Perform a thorough spring cleaning. This involves cleaning and/or dusting windows, air conditioning vents, and bookshelves. In the winter, dust and mold can collect on these surfaces and provoke symptoms.

Avoid pollen. Dr. Shepherd states the following: "On windy days, or for days after high winds, pollen counts are high because the pollen has been spread throughout the air." Therefore, stay indoors when pollen counts are high, and keep in mind that peak pollen times are usually from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's also a good idea to shut the windows in your house during these times, and avoid using fans or windows that may draw pollen inside.

Wash bedding weekly in hot water. Also dry your laundry indoors, as sheets hanging on an outside line are an easy target for pollen.

Shower in the evening. Shower and wash your hair before going to bed because pollen can collect on your head and scalp.

Don't let pets near furniture or your bedroom. Pollen can cling to your dog after being outside, and cat hair has been known to be one of the most common allergens due to the cat glycoprotein Fel d 1, which is secreted through a cat's sebaceous glands.

Wear a filter mask. This is especially useful when mowing the law or performing any type of gardening work.

Invest in an air purifier with a quality HEPA filter. Air purifiers can be instrumental in eliminate common springtime allergens from your home. However, keep in mind that for maximum allergy relief, only an air purifier with HEPA filtration will do. HEPA filters have the ability to filter out 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns such as dust and pollen. In fact, they are so effective, they are often utilized by hospitals and government buildings. Some good air purifier choices for allergy sufferers would be the Austin AllergyMachine and the Airpura H600.

How to Alleviate Hay Fever Symptoms

Springtime conjures up memories of warmer weather, clear skies, and blooming flowers, but the season can be miserable for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Pollen is one of the most common and prevalent allergens, and in the spring, the amount of pollen floating in the air can be up to four times greater than in any other season. According to Gillian Shepherd, M.D., an allergy specialist, "On windy days or for days after high winds, pollen counts are high because the pollen has been spread through the air. After it rains, counts drop as the rain washes the pollen away."
Therefore, allergy sufferers are all too familiar with the perils of high pollen count, and high pollen counts can affect numerous types of allergies, from conjunctivitis to skin reactions such as dermatitis. However, the most common spring allergy is allergic rhinitis.

Commonly called hay fever, seasonal allergic rhinitis affects 35 million people in the U.S. and is commonly triggered by allergens such as pollens and molds. When allergic rhinitis sufferers inhale these allergens, they are combined with an allergic antibody called immunoglobulin (IgE), and in those who have allergies, IgE is found at especially high concentrations.

To alleviate hay fever symptoms, your doctor may prescribe oral medication, nasal sprays, or eye drops, but perhaps one of the best ways at combating hay fever is to avoid substances such as pollen altogether. Here are some preventative steps you can take to keep pollen and dust out of your home:

Turn on Your Air Conditioner
Did you know that your air conditioner can actually help control allergens? Air conditioners allow windows and doors to stay closed, which keep some pollen and mold spores outside. Moreover, this keeps indoor humidity levels down, and the less moisture there is in the air, the less chance of mold growth.

Use Furnace Filters
Even though staying indoors is one way to avoid high levels of pollen, this may not be enough. Even if the windows or doors within a room remain closed, pollen can still seep n. Quality allergy furnace filters can solve this problem, and the ones from AllergyZone are great for this purpose. Be sure to change the filter regularly during hay fever season.

Wear Dust Masks
When performing housework, many common dusting and vacuum devices can actually shuffle as much dust and pollen back into the air as they take out. Therefore, a dust mask can prevent you from breathing in debris while cleaning. Also consider purchasing a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter if this is truly a concern.

Purify the Air
Air purifiers are great for those suffering from respiratory disorders such as hay fever. When choosing an air purifier, select a unit with HEPA filters and all-metal construction. True HEPA filters have the ability to remove up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, and all-metal or steel gaskets prevent off-gassing of chemicals into the air.

Austin Air has also designed an air purifier specially designed for allergy sufferers. With the ability to clean large areas up to 1500 square and utilizing both medical-grade, True HEPA and HEGA filters, this air purifier is perfect for keeping hay fever symptoms at bay.

Air Purifier News: Can Cockroach Debris Worsen Your Allergies?

Cockroaches are a common insect infestation found in American homes and buildings. Traditionally, cockroaches were eliminated because they were offensive and caused gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, but cockroach debris such as old shells, saliva, body parts, and droppings can also cause a range of health problems. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), cockroaches are one of the most common and allergenic of indoor pests, with recent studies showing that there is a strong correlation between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma and allergy symptoms in those sensitive to cockroach allergens and debris. In fact, the NIEHS states that cockroach debris is more likely to trigger asthma attacks than cat dander.

In the United States alone, 17 to 41 percent of people are allergic to cockroaches, with even greater numbers found in the inner cities. In addition to exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms, cockroach debris can cause sneezing, chest pain, and conjunctivitis. In extreme cases, exposure to cockroach debris can even lead to a potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock - a severe type of allergy reaction which involves two or more body systems, including a drop in blood pressure.

However, although cockroaches may be more prevalent in urban areas, older dwellings, and inner cities, these pests are common in even the cleanest and most immaculate homes, or wherever there is any type of food or moisture. Due to the presence of food and moisture, kitchens and bathrooms usually have some of the highest number of cockroaches, and once a cockroach infestation has taken place, getting rid of the insects and their debris can be quite a chore.

Cockroaches do not necessarily need to be actively present for their debris to do damage. Day-to-day activities such as carrying grocery bags and returning from trips can also bring cockroaches, eggs, and their debris into a home. Also, it should be noted that cockroaches tend to live in groups. If you notice one in your kitchen, there is a good chance that there can be 800 or more other cockroaches roaming around in various locations of your home.

While the best way to reduce cockroach debris is to avoid the allergen altogether, extensive extermination, as well as thorough and repeated cleanings, can eliminate a good amount of the nasty pollutant. However, for those living in apartments, removing cockroach debris may be a bit more difficult, as cockroaches can roam from one apartment to the next and will return to an exterminated area once pesticides wear off.

To eliminate cockroach debris, you must also eliminate the three main sources of cockroach allergens: cockroaches and their food sources; warm and moist environments; and dust. Be sure to store food and garbage in tight-lidded containers and clean crumbs immediately. Plug crevices around your home and repair leaky drain pipes or faucets. Cleaning cockroach debris can also involve steam cleaning rugs, carpet and furniture; vacuuming; installing furnace filters in your heating and cooling system; and even utilizing some kind of HEPA air purifier in areas where you may suspect especially high concentrations of cockroach debris.

Allergy Furnace Filters: Inexpensively Transform Your Home into an "Allergy-Proof Zone"

Although studies have shown that indoor air quality can be several times worse than the air outdoors, cleaning the air you breathe can wreck havoc on your wallet, as some of the more higher-end air purifiers on the market can cost several hundred dollars. However, for those of you watching their finances, clean air may still be within your reach.

Furnace filters are easy-to-install, high-efficiency filters that look like pleated panels. Specially designed to meet the needs of allergic and asthmatic individuals, these are simple to install and require little to no tools, as they are inserted into the filter opening of your home furnace or air conditioning unit. The fibers of a furnace filter act like magnets to attract and capture 90% of large allergens like dust, mold, and pet dander, therefore allergy-proofing your home and almost transforming your home into a "whole house filter."

Nonetheless, while allergy furnace filters are effective at capturing the particles circulating in your home's air, they cannot remove what is hiding in your ductwork. Rather, for the most complete protection against airborne particulates, allergy furnace filters are still best used in conjunction with some time of air purification system, and are simply an inexpensive way to help your home become an "allergy-safe zone."

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Vacuuming Doesn't Remove Dust Mites - What About Air Purifiers?

Dust mites are nuisances found in all homes and often wreck havoc on one's allergies. In fact, they are considered the most common cause of asthma and allergy symptoms worldwide, and their enzymes can produce noxious odors in full vacuum bags. In order to find ways to limit exposure to such allergens, a recent study was conducted by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Australia. Because vacuuming is usually the most common way of removing dust mites, the Australian researchers wanted to test the efficacy of this method, but they found that vacuum cleaning was ineffective and inconsistent at removing dust mite allergens from carpets.

In fact, rather than removing dust mites from carpets, vacuuming helped changed the distribution of the mites within the carpets. While vacuums with rotating heads were initially more successful at picking up dander and allergens, the rotating vacuum heads were counterproductive in that they also served to kick up the dust in the air after prolonged use. In response to the study results, Woolcock researcher Jason Sercombe stated: "Allergen avoidance measures that rely solely on vacuum cleaning are likely to be of limited success unless rigorous cleaning than standard home vacuuming is performed."

Instead of vacuuming, the researchers at Woodcock suggested regularly washing bedding, pillows, and stuffed toys with hot water on a weekly basis. In addition, Sercombe also noted the effectiveness of HEPA filters in helping to reduce dust mite allergens, as he stated: "The most important aspect to look for is HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filter) filtration."