Environmental Control
One aspect of my job here at Achoo puts me in touch with people with little to no knowledge of environmental control, allergy bedding or how specific things inside the house can be causing certain symptoms. One piece of information that I commonly pass along is based on previous studies of allergies and asthma that show links between allergic diseases like allergies, asthma and eczema. About 70% of the time, if a child has asthma, s/he also has at least one allergy. A study recently published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology clear up this picture for adults with asthma who likely also have allergies. The results were a bit surprising to most professionals in the field.
By studying and comparing data from over 2500 patients in two age groups, 20-40 and 55+, researchers found that for asthmatics, allergic sensitization was present far more often than not. For the first age group, 20-40, those with asthma were also allergic to at least one allergen 75.4% of the time. In the second group, 55 years and older, asthmatics were allergic to at least one allergen 65% of the time. While this type of overlap has been studied and identified in children, most believed that the link between allergies and asthma wasn't as strong with adults.
Within this data, there is some variation between the types of allergens that these age groups showed the most sensitivity to. For the older set of patients, the most common allergen was dust mite. Over one-third of those who were asthmatic and allergic were sensitive to dust mites. Rye grass, cats, dogs and cockroaches followed. For the younger set of patients the allergen sensitivities were similar with dog and the dust mite allergen leading the way.
Allergies and asthma are two very closely related animals. One is like a llama while the other is like an Alpaca. Both are different but fairly closely related, and like llamas/alpacas, sometimes people confuse the two.
In terms of helping people, this stronger correlation can help doctors and allergists better diagnose conditions in older adults. And while asthma and an allergy may be the cause of a particular set of symptoms, some of the same measures to help control your indoor environment will work for both.
To read the article's abstract or access the full article.
Three Ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Bedroom
Author: Kevin Gilmore
By studying and comparing data from over 2500 patients in two age groups, 20-40 and 55+, researchers found that for asthmatics, allergic sensitization was present far more often than not. For the first age group, 20-40, those with asthma were also allergic to at least one allergen 75.4% of the time. In the second group, 55 years and older, asthmatics were allergic to at least one allergen 65% of the time. While this type of overlap has been studied and identified in children, most believed that the link between allergies and asthma wasn't as strong with adults.Within this data, there is some variation between the types of allergens that these age groups showed the most sensitivity to. For the older set of patients, the most common allergen was dust mite. Over one-third of those who were asthmatic and allergic were sensitive to dust mites. Rye grass, cats, dogs and cockroaches followed. For the younger set of patients the allergen sensitivities were similar with dog and the dust mite allergen leading the way.
Allergies and asthma are two very closely related animals. One is like a llama while the other is like an Alpaca. Both are different but fairly closely related, and like llamas/alpacas, sometimes people confuse the two.
In terms of helping people, this stronger correlation can help doctors and allergists better diagnose conditions in older adults. And while asthma and an allergy may be the cause of a particular set of symptoms, some of the same measures to help control your indoor environment will work for both.To read the article's abstract or access the full article.
Three Ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Bedroom
Author: Kevin Gilmore
Comment
I have to say, I always enjoy reading or hearing stories like the one a friend of mine passed me yesterday (thank you Cordelia!). A very similar story was part of the broadcast on NPR this morning as well. The focus of both was controlling asthma, but to me the more interesting part was how it was being done - environmental control.At AchooAllergy.com, we have been advocating environmental control, as a way to reduce allergic and asthmatic reactions, for over a decade. So, it is always heartening to see doctors, insurers and others recognizing the importance of this preventative style approach to asthma and allergies and actually creating programs to bring these ideas into the homes of people who need it the most.
Environmental control is multifaceted, and something that is often done in stages. Because it can be time intensive and not the most inexpensive process in the world, we have always stressed that people start with the bedroom and work out towards the rest of the home. You spend more time in your bedroom than any other single room in your home, so if there is one place to be a sanctuary, a place where you can provide relief from allergens, it should be there.
Both stories touched on things we have written about and advocated for years.
- Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner
- Installing allergy bedding covers on your mattress and pillow
- Avoiding harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia based cleaning products as well as "deodorizers" that pollute the indoor air even more
- And, removing carpet, to name a few
On a similar note, over the last year, we have had the benefit of working with a partner who has recognized the benefit of allergy bedding in helping to reduce dust and dust mites in the home. With them we have been able to provide mattress covers, pillow covers, pillows, and other dust mite bedding to hundreds of people who, without this program, would not likely be able to afford it. Sadly these partnerships remain more of a rarity than the norm, and one of the biggest problems remains education - education of those affected as well as education of those who can help and those who can provide funding for these types of programs. Too few people in both of these groups understand the long term benefit that environmental control can offer.The educational side is where other partners, like the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, is critical. As a non-profit on the front lines of asthma education and advocacy, the AANMA works to not only help to educate those affected by allergies and asthma, but they also act as a voice to raise awareness on these issues at the state and national government levels.
Allergy shots remain one of the closest things to a cure for allergies, and while medication can tamp down many of the reactions that those affected with asthma have, it's really only when the these things are combined with environmental control measures in the home that the most benefit is seen. It is my sincere hope that as research continues, partnerships, like the ones we have, and programs like the Community Asthma Initiative can continue to coalesce and provide health benefits to those who need it most.
For the full article from Pediatrics Journal.
For more information about the Community Asthma Initiative program or to read/listen to the NPR story.
Author: Kevin Gilmore
