Allergy tips
Spring Allergies Arrive… Just in Time for Easter!
As the weather begins to warm again, that most joyous time of year is nearly upon us – spring! Sunshine, warm temperatures, daffodils, and blooming plants of all varieties. It’s official, spring allergies arrive… and just in time for Easter!…
Ask an Allergist – Dr. Mardiney – Spring 2015
Though we’ve taken a bit of a hiatus, our favorite allergist, Dr. Mardiney, is back to answer some of your allergy and asthma related questions. Up today for Ask an Allergist are some questions regarding hidden allergens and triggers in…
It’s Coming, And Sooner Than You Think
It's been creeping up on us for several weeks now. Scattered reports coming in from across the country, the midwest, the northeast… It continues it slow but steady march across the nation. We've tried to push it to the back…
Keep It Dry and Eliminate Mold This Summer
Summer time is one of the best times of the year (along with spring, fall, and winter)! It’s the time when we often take trips to the lake, the pool, and anywhere where the sun is warm and worries are…
Details, Details! Humidity, Ice Cream & Friday
As we focus on providing you the tools and resources you need to take control of your indoor environment and reduce symptoms from allergies, asthma or MCS, there is often a focus on large products. This time of year, as…
Ask an Allergist – Dr. Mardiney (Round Two)
As the latest addition in our Ask an Allergist series, we tackle the development of a pet allergy as well as the tricky question of whether or not you can be allergic to dust but not dust mites. If you…
April Showers Bring May… Allergies?
We have had gorgeous weekends here in Atlanta recently. Everyone and their kids and dogs have been out celebrating the Dogwood Festival and spending time at Piedmont Park. In between all this good weather have been bouts of heavy rain…
Block Spring Pollen Tips & HEPA Air Purifier Giveaway
Spring allergy season is fully upon us in many parts of the country. Locally, Atlanta has seen an average pollen count of 2,624 for each of the last nine days! As usual tree pollen is the primary culprit early in…
Off to Costa Rica! Allergy & Asthma Travel Tips
I am headed off to enjoy the sunshine, beach and rainforests of Costa Rica! We will be traveling to the Guanacaste region where it will be dry with little rain during this time of year. This is also means I…
Out With the Snow, In With the Pollen!
Despite the wind and snow that has continually harassed much of the country this winter, for many areas of the country, spring is here! Personally, every year I definitively mark the start of spring here in Atlanta, and that day…
Best Plants for Gardening with Allergies
Now is the time to start planning your gardens, whether they are in your backyard, in pots on your porch or planters on your window sill! It
Welcoming a Baby into the Family
In the first month of 2014, a lot has already happened. Amongst the news about the ‘polar vortex’ and political drama, my family and I will be welcoming a new family member! My older brother in Mexico City and his…
PowerRecipes with Rachel – French Toast
One Saturday morning, Marsha and I decided to make a breakfast of champions – French Toast, fresh-squeezed orange juice and bacon. We had our grocery list ready with bread, bacon, eggs, cinnamon, oranges, and almond milk. ‘Why almond milk?’ I…
Allergies Worse During Winter?
Well, yesterday, I had written a very nice, long post about wintertime allergies, but alas, technology was not kind to me at all yesterday. So here is take two. _Over the last couple of weeks, it has become increasingly apparent…
Go Away Leaves, and Take Your Mold With You!
Part of my Thanksgiving holiday was spent tackling a chore that I really don’t like this time of year – raking leaves. I love trees as much as the next tree hugger but after having mulched up and filled over…
Difference Between Dust Mites and Bed Bugs
This week’s blog will not be as cute or cuddly as my previous blog. Today I’m going to discuss the difference between dust mites and bed bugs. I’ve had many calls and questions about dust mites and bed bugs and…
Five Helpful Food Allergy Halloween Tips
Morning frost, warm afternoons, fall foliage, and specials on candy all add up to one thing – me loving this time of year. As one of my favorite times, the only downside for me is those oaks in the front…
Some of the Most Allergic Types of Pollen
You're sneezing, congested and watery eyed, battling nature's small wonders. So today we're going to shine a spotlight on these little airborne particulates that are giving you such a hard time, and this week we'll start with pollen. Since the…
Ragweed 2013 Forecast
Ok, so perhaps I’m being a bit dramatic when I wrote that title, but to be honest, the theme from Jaws was playing in my head. Still, the summer months are quickly winding down, and despite Mother Nature’s insistence on…
Top Tips for Food Allergies in School
As we welcome in August, teachers across the U.S. are headed back to prep for the coming school year. That signals kickoff of back to school shopping but also fresh worries for parents about food allergies. Over the last few…
Self-Diagnosing vs. Logging Symptoms – The Dilemma!
As people, we often like to self-diagnose many of the everyday ailments, aches and pains we experience. Sites like WebMD and others, have given us neat little lists of symptoms that we compare ours to and ta-da, we’re officially board…
As Temps Climb, So Does Ozone
Starting in spring each year, you might notice a mention of the ‘air quality index’ on the local news. Typically during the spring months, this index is influenced by the level of pollen in the air, but as spring dials…
Peanut Oil and Peanut Food Allergies
If you’re allergic to peanuts or nuts in general, chances are you’ve wondered about the oil they use for cooking at restaurants. Five Guys and Chick-fil-A are probably the two most well-known examples that use peanut oil in their fryers.…
Pacifiers: Not Just for Kids to Enjoy?
I came across this on the drive in to work yesterday morning, and it reminded me of just a few short years ago.
Got Yardwork? Get a Mask
With Spring finally here, the many months of keeping up with my yard begins. From pressure washing away red clay and pollen to mowing and trimming, lawn care is one of those outdoor tasks that can really aggravate those with…
Pollen, Pollen, Go Away…
Well, it's time for Atlanta's annual rite of passage – spring pollen, and particularly pine pollen.
Study Tightens Link Between Asthma and Allergies in Adults
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…
While Allergies Bite, Maybe This Year, Not So Bad…
With Easter and Passover now behind us, the spring allergy season is set to begin making millions across the U.S. miserable. And while there is no shortage of weather forecasters and others singing ‘doom and gloom’ for this allergy season,…
Asthma – Wearing a Mask While You Sleep?
People who suffer from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder), sleep apnea or other respiratory conditions have some familiarity with wearing a mask while you sleep. Perhaps not the most comfortable, these sleep masks for allergies often help keep airways open…
Replacing Carpet for a Healthier Home
It took two years of nagging, but I finally persuaded my parents into investing in new flooring.
Pet Allergies and Hives
For those who suffer from pet allergies, the most common type of reaction is a respiratory one. Sneezing, wheezing, congestion, and puffy eyes are often symptoms of pet allergies. There are also skin reactions that can accompany pet allergies. These…
Dangers of Common Pet Shampoos
As a dog owner, keeping my dog clean and free of ticks and fleas can sometimes seem like a real chore. Over the years I have tried a few different methods in controlling fleas and ticks. Though I never used…
Searching for a Local Allergist?
We often get questions from allergy sufferers who are looking for allergists or immunologists in their specific city or state. While we do partner with many different allergists throughout the country (you may have come across our catalogs or single…
Protecting Your Mattress Investment
Purchasing a new bed is something where you can spend as much or as little as you like.
Top Uses for Summer Masks
For some an allergy mask is a year round accessory while for others the need typically arises during the spring and fall. Though the spike in pollen during these two seasons often means asthma and allergy sufferers use a mask,…
Summer Sun and Sunscreen Tips
With the sun and heat of summer in full effect for most of the country, people across the country are breaking out the sunscreen for days of fun in the sun. Too much sun can cause sunburns and severely damage…
Dining Out With Food Allergies
Dining out with food allergies can be a very daunting task. A quick search for online articles about dining out and food allergies reveals stories that range from some discomfort on the drive home to consequences far more severe. _Part…
Outdoors, Ozone and Plants
If you happened to see a snippet from the evening news, you may have come across a piece about a thick cloud of yellowish smog in the Chinese city of Wuhan. While the cause of the dense cloud is up…
Don’t Fight Your Air Purifier
With pollen levels reaching records highs very early in the year, it’s a good time to take another look at controlling your indoor air quality (IAQ). While we always advise using a quality air purifier, particularly in your bedroom, cleaning…
Avoid the Seasonal Allergy Slog
Each spring ushers in a yellow-green flood of pollen, and Atlanta begins to resemble a pastry that some giant chef has sprinkled yellowish green powdered sugar all over. So with the average pollen count in Atlanta doubling over the last…
Warm Weather & Managing Eczema – Guest Post
Spring and summer can bring out the worst in some eczema, while fall and winter can be harder on others. _Regardless of which season affects you the most, here are some warm weather tips to help keep your eczema under…
OTC Allergy Meds and Controlling Allergies
Like anywhere in the US, there are a variety of over-the-counter cold/flu and allergy medications that can be found in nearly any convenience store, pharmacy, or supermarket. Currently 41 of all 50 states have laws specifically regulating pseudoephedrine, including GA.…
Allergy Certifications and Seals
In the industry that is allergy relief, just as with any market, there are a variety of products and providers available. One thing that manufacturers often do is proudly display any certifications they have attained for their products. But what…
Remove Hidden Allergens From Guests
For pet allergy sufferers, keeping dander out of the house seems like an easy task if you don't own a pet, but there are still some hidden ways that dander can make it's way inside your home and on your…
Daily Habits for Allergy Relief
Knowing that you can do something to take charge of your allergy symptoms is empowering, especially if you've resigned yourself to the sniffling, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes as facts of your life. Butallergen avoidance and environmental control can really…
Allergy Apps
Do you use your phone for everything from checking email and planning family menus to entertaining the children while clothes shopping and checking sports stats
How to Avoid Toxic Dry Cleaning Chemicals
Last week in Dry Cleaning Chemical Labelled Toxic and Carcinogenic by EPA, we talked about the health effects of the ubiquitous dry cleaning chemical perc. Indeed, dry cleaned items brought into the home can play a significant part in polluting…
Chalk as DIY Dehumidifier
We love portable dehumidifiers for small, damp spaces like under sinks, in poorly ventilated bathrooms, and in closets. But did you know there’s a very inexpensive and easy yet effective way to absorb low levels of moisture in your closet…
How Healthy is Your Relationship with Your Pet?
Love your pet? Is Fluffy or Fido like part of the family? For most pet owners, the answer is of course,