Achoo Q & A
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. Info about allergies and allergy relief.
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 A reader recently sent in an interesting question:
I have a question. Generally speaking. If you take preventive action against allergic triggers, could you avoid all the pharmaceutical and over-the-counter medications like singulair and nasonex?
In some cases, yes, allergy sufferers can avoid medication by practicing sound environmental control methods and avoiding allergens. Allergy symptoms do not occur without exposure to the offending allergen. We hear "miracle stories" all the time in regard to Allergy Armor™. Some people put these covers on their mattress and pillows, and their symptoms disappear completely.
However, everyone is different, and even allergy sufferers who take all the proper environmental control measures will still experience symptoms sometimes. For instance, in many place in the U.S., it's difficult to avoid ragweed pollen during allergy season because the allergen is just so pervasive. And in one major study, cat dander was found in 100% of U.S. homes - even homes without cats! Similarly, it's nearly impossible to get rid of all dust mites and mold spores. They're everywhere! So, even with all the best environmental control products and methods, there will still be a need for allergy medication, but you can greatly reduce the chances that you'll need medication by avoiding the particles that make you sick.
Posted by Craig on Friday, March 07, 2008
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Q: What is the difference between hypoallergenic and anti-allergen? Which type of product is best to buy?
A: Both terms are used frequently in the world of allergies, and their meanings are actually quite different. However, both types of products are important for creating an allergen-free environment.
A HYPOALLERGENIC product is one which produces little or no allergic reaction. It is not likely to cause allergies… but of course, there is always the possibility that someone may have an allergic reaction to it. Our 100% cotton pillows are an example of this… they are made in very pure and natural conditions, with no irritants, and they are made from hypoallergenic materials. But for someone with an allergy to cotton, a 100% cotton pillow would not be hypoallergenic – quite the opposite. There are very few substances to which no one in the world is allergic.
Hypoallergenic products are usually products made in such a way that irritants or allergens which would normally be in the product are removed. As such, they play an important role for allergy sufferers. A typical example is a hypoallergenic down comforter. Unlike most down, which can cause an allergic reaction, a Hypodown comforter is filled with down that has been washed repeatedly in a special process to remove dust, dirt, and other allergens from the down, rendering it hypoallergenic.
An ANTI-ALLERGEN product is one which will actually control allergens, by removing or denaturing existing allergens in the environment. Allergens exist as part of nature… dust mites, animal dander, pollen, mold spores, all are difficult to avoid simply by purchasing hypoallergenic products. That is where anti-allergen products come in – anti-allergen products work to remove or control the allergens which are inevitably present in your environment. A good example is an anti-allergen dust mite encasing. This product will control dust mite allergens and prevent allergy symptoms, by protecting you from the dust mite allergens in your pillow. Another example is an anti-allergen spray, which you might use on your carpet or upholstery to denature allergens, affecting the allergen to render it harmless.
Ideally, an anti-allergen product is both anti-allergen and hypoallergenic. You wouldn't want to spray an anti-allergen spray which would denature pet dander and dust mite allergens, but then irritate your sinuses with a strong additive fragrance. However, the reverse does not generally apply – a hypoallergenic product is not necessarily anti-allergen as well. Both types of products are important for keeping your environment allergen-free.
Products mentioned:
100% Cotton Pillow
Hypoallergenic Down Comforters
Dust Mite Encasings
Anti-Allergen Spray
Posted by Desirina on Wednesday, January 11, 2006
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A few days ago, we looked at an article about the benefits of houseplants in improving indoor air quality. Indoor pollution like VOC's and other toxins can be broken down and minimized by houseplants, improving indoor air quality. Today's question addresses another aspect of keeping houseplants – their affect on a mold-allergy sufferer.
Q: I recently found out I'm allergic to mold. Could house plants be a cause?
A: Yes. House plants can grow mold. By themselves, houseplants generally will not cause excessive mold exposure, but if you're allergic to mold spores, you may want to take steps to control any possible mold growth.
Houseplants can attract mold because they offer the ideal conditions that mold needs to thrive: an organic food source and lots of moisture. Mold does well in areas which have high temperatures, high humidity, and little or no light. This basically describes the conditions surrounding a houseplant, especially an over-watered one.
Obviously, the most effective way to avoid mold on houseplants is simply getting rid of them. But for those who love houseplants, or whose mold allergy is not severe enough to warrant turning your green babies out in the cold, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk of mold growth in your houseplants.
Keep the soil a little on the dry side. Water with care and only as needed.
Don't let water accumulate in the houseplant's pot or the tray beneath.
Give plants more light by putting them in the sunniest windows.
Consistently remove any dead leaves; don't allow dying foliage to build up.
Monitor indoor humidity using a hygrometer to ensure that the general environment is not overly moist.
Posted by Desirina on Monday, January 02, 2006
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Q: My allergies often feel worse after I've been outside in chilly weather. How does the cold affect allergies?
A: Most of us feel sniffly after being outside in the cold for too long. But for allergy sufferers, the combination of the cold and allergy symptoms can be a double whammy. The cold weather doesn't actually cause respiratory allergies, but by replicating allergy symptoms of congestion and runny nose, it can make your allergies feel even worse.
Breathing cold air causes nasal congestion in two ways. First off, the cold air affects an important body defense mechanism called mucus transport, which stimulates an increase in mucus production. In plain English, the cold makes your nose run – a way of fending off any nasal intruders which might try to venture in. Second of all, cold air affects the tissue in your nose. It's your nose's job to warm or cool the air you breathe to your body temperature – 98.6 degrees. When you're breathing frosty cold air, that's a tough job. The capillaries in your nose tissue dilate, bringing warm blood to heat the cold air. Dilated capillaries mean swollen tissue, and more nasal congestion and stuffiness.
Extreme temperatures can also trigger asthma reactions. For an asthma sufferer, it's a good idea to wear a warm scarf or mask during cold or damp weather.
Note: It is possible to have a true allergic response to cold temperatures, although this condition is very rare. The condition is called cold induced urticaria. However, cold urticaria generally causes a reaction in the form of hives or welts, not a respiratory condition. For more information on cold urticaria, contact your doctor.
Posted by Desirina on Wednesday, December 28, 2005
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Q: I hear a lot of talk about dust and dust mites. Is the one a fancy term for the other? Or are they different?
A: This one confuses everyone at one point or another. Much like the bear and the teddy bear, dust and dust mites have little in common except a name and a few spare body parts. (We'll explain).
Dust mites are actually living creatures. A diminutive relative of spiders and ticks, they are invisible to the naked eye. They live in bedding, carpets, stuffed animals, and similar cushy surfaces. Thankfully, they don't live on people, only near them. A gross fact: they actually feed on the dead skin particles shed by human bodies, and they thrive in humid environments. An even grosser fact: these nasty habits make them love your bedding.
Now, it is not actually the dust mites themselves which cause allergic symptoms. Because they are alive, they are difficult to inhale. Instead, it is dust mite waste particles and fragments of dead dust mites which cause allergies.
Which brings us to dust – another common allergen. Dust is a conglomerate of many kinds of miniscule particles: human skin flakes, cloth and fabric fibers, animal dander, cockroach allergens, mold spores, construction and industrial byproducts, and bits of dirt and debris. And, present in this mixture is usually a fair amount of dust mite allergens.
So, if you're allergic to dust mites, you're probably going to be allergic to dust, as well. But an allergy to dust doesn't necessarily imply an allergy to dust mites, as there are lots of other troublesome particles in dust which could be causing your symptoms.
For more information on dust mites and how to control them, visit achoo! ALLERGY's extensive article.
Posted by Desirina on Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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Q: I am considering getting a live Christmas tree, but I'm worried about my allergies. Is a Christmas tree safe for an allergy-friendly living room?
A:
Many people start to sniffle and wheeze around Christmas trees, giving them a bad holiday rap with allergy sufferers. Poor trees -- it's generally not the tree itself causing the allergies. Instead, it's what's on the tree. No, you're not allergic to well-meaning Aunt Margaret's hand-painted moose-slippers. Actually, tacky ornaments aside, Christmas trees also accumulate allergens like dust and mold spores.
Why not pollen? Most Christmas trees are scotch pines or Douglas firs, trees which don't pollinate in the winter. And evergreen pollens have a thick, waxy outer coating, which makes them unlikely to be a significant allergen.
But, mold is a frequent culprit. Many Christmas trees are cut several months beforehand, and then left out in the winter rain, an ideal breeding ground for mold. (See why you should feel sorry for them?)
It's not just live Christmas trees, though. Artificial trees have their own set of blues. Depending on how they are stored during the year, they can also be prone to collecting dust and mold. Dusty attics and damp basements are not good places for allergy sufferers, and the porous surface of an artificial tree can bring all those nasty allergens into the home along with holiday spirit.
So how can you enjoy a bright and cozy tree while staying sneeze and sniffle free?
- If you use a live tree, shake it out thoroughly, and let it dry out for a few days before you bring it indoors.
- If you use an artificial tree, make sure to dust and clean it thoroughly (outside!) before installing it in the house. For storage, make sure that it's kept clean and dry, preferably sealed in a plastic bag.
And don't forget, holiday decorating can cause all kinds of allergy flare-ups. Don't always blame it on the tree! Decorations stored in attics and basements can also be covered in dust, mold spores, or dust mite allergens. Wash your hands thoroughly after unpacking them, and clean them thoroughly before putting them up. Actually, forget washing your hands – make a non-allergic person do the dirty work. That's one holiday cloud of dust you deserve to keep your nose out of.
For more great tips on surviving holiday allergens, visit this page from the AAAAII.
A similar version of this article appeared in our December newsletter, the achoo! review. To subscribe to the achoo! review, visit our website at www.achooallergy.com.
Posted by Desirina on Friday, December 09, 2005
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