The first step is to reduce outdoor seasonal “triggers” by identifying the plants and flowers that will cause you discomfort. Get tested to choose the “right” plants, shrubs and flowers that are better for you. By knowing your allergies you can also plan ahead and modify your gardening schedule. This involves having the knowledge regarding peak periods throughout the day to the culprit allergens as well as staying tuned to learn the pollen count in your town or city.

Pollen counts from the previous day are available for main cities via the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) as well as in local newspapers and with the daily weather reports on radio and TV. The Web site for the National Allergy Bureau is www.aaaai.org/nab.

You may need to adjust your planting and/or gardening activities as seasonal symptoms such as itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat, sneezing may be worse on windy, dry, sunny and clear days may be associated with greater airborne pollens as wet, cloudy and windless days can see a reduction in outdoor plant pollens.

Colorful flowers:
Plants with bright, showy flowers are better for people who have allergies. Their pollen is large and because they are pollinated by insects, the pollen is seldom airborne. Plants that cause allergies usually have flowers that are small and insignificant looking and have no color for attracting nectar.

The following trees, shrubs, and plants have been found to be BETTER for people with allergies:

If you are considering adding trees to your landscape, you should AVOID planting the following:

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

A new study published in the December issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI) found a higher likelihood of anaphylaxis, or severe and/or life-threatening allergic reactions than previously reported.

In the study, Wyatt W. Decker, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, reported that the incidence rate of food-allergic reactions increased significantly from 1990 to 2000. Researchers reported about a 10 percent increase in cases of life-threatening allergic reactions over the 10-year period of the study. 

Children ages 0 to 19 are at the highest risk for these severe reactions. Based on the new study, it’s estimated that food allergies cause 50,000 emergency room visits per year, with overall cases approaching 150,000 annually.

“This study shows anaphylaxis affects significantly more people, many of whom are children, than previously reported,” said Anne Muñoz-Furlong, Founder and CEO of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). 

Increased prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy

Almost every day I am asked by patients, colleagues and the media why there are so many new cases of food allergies — particularly, nuts and peanuts. The prevalence of peanut allergy in the U.S. has been estimated to affect as many as 6 million people. The incidence of peanut allergy is said to have doubled in American children in the five years between 1998 and 2003.

Since there is no treatment or cure for food allergies, avoidance and education are the most important methods of reducing risk. Another important strategy is to become a “label detective.” To better understand food labels, carry a “food allergy identification card” (especially when eating outside of the home), and be prepared to treat severe allergic reactions when they occur. 

For more information on food allergy, contact FAAN at (800) 929-4040 or visit www.foodallergy.org.  In addition, see a board certified allergist for testing, and if you or a family member has food allergies, ask for a food allergy action plan!  

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Pack your bags and leaving your allergies behind!

Its vacation time and thoughts of relaxation and anticipation may be first on your mind. Remember if you or a household member has allergies and/or asthma it is important to prepare ahead. 

Certainly the following strategies are helpful to many vacation-goers:

    ** Bring an adequate supply of daily medications and go onto the National Allergy Bureau at www.aaaai.org/nab to check out the pollen levels at your desired destination

   ** Plan your outdoor activities wisely, especially when pollen levels rise and consider doing the “indoor thing” if you are particularly affected by air pollutants such as ozone

   ** Take a vacation by the sea (i.e., by the beach, lake or shore) where pollen counts are lower

   ** Take the sunglasses (the bigger the better) to block pollens from entering into the eyes and lids

   ** Learn if the hotel you will be visiting has “green rooms” that are more environmentally and allergy friendly

   ** Take your dust-proof allergy covers for pillows and mattresses to provide top notch indoor protection from pesky (but invisible) dust mites

   ** Don’t let the bugs bite! Avoid excess fragranced products, creams, hair care products and colognes which attract stinging insects especially if you have a history of reactions to them (bright colors may also attract them)

   ** Get a pre-trip check-up with your allergist and take the opportunity to get your allergy “tune up” and review your “go to” allergy medications before leaving home

   ** If you suffer from pet allergies request an animal-free room as well as talking to your host when visiting friends

   ** Be a label detective when eating out of the home if you have food allergies (bring safe snacks for those affected)

    ** Bring along some moisturizing nasal saline spray, especially for prolonged air travel (cabin air is dry and may irritate nasal passages)

   ** Make sure your favorite sunscreen is “kind” to your skin before using it on yourself and children 

Be safe and be prepared!

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended to diagnose or treat any condition.