Winter is on it’s way, and allergies don’t stop there.

Here are some room by room tips to help you cope with winter allergies!

Bedrooms (number one important allergen is the house dust mite)

1. Encase your pillows and bedding (mattress and box spring) with tight allergen –impermeable slip covers that “seal in” indoor house dust mites if you have allergic sensitivities to this  powerful indoor allergen -
2. Dust mite levels in mattresses are more closely linked with asthma attacks
3. Wash bedding in very hot water every 7 – 14 days
4. Remember to reduce dust collectors, particularly in the bedroom, such as drapes, horizontal binds ( tend to trap dust easily and more problematic to clean them), non washable items (stuffed toys)
5. Washable window shades are preferred
6. Unpacking of winter clothing may have accumulated dust and mildew from open storage in basement or attic areas
7. Try and keep pets out of the bedroom if you have pet allergies

Bathrooms

1. Look for problem areas with excess mildew and molds, leaking faucets, damp carpets and/or rugs

 Kitchen

1.  Exposure to household cleaning agents, aerosols, cleaners, cockroach
2. Limit candle usage
3. Check refrigerator drip pans for excess mildew and moisture
4. “Always open the window or run an exhaust fan, when you’re cleaning in an enclosed space, you must always have good ventilation,” says Pramod S. Kelkar, MD, chair of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s Cough Taskforce.

Living Areas

1.  Smoke from fireplace, chemicals from carpeting and furnishings, pet hair and dander –
2. Avoid scented candles and potpourri
3. Use a HEPA air cleaner (either room model or central HVAC) to remove unwanted airborne pet allergens (cat, dog hair
4. Even if you’re not the one out of ten allergy sufferers allergic to pets, your household pets are still quite capable of bringing outdoor hidden allergens indoors on their skin and fur into the house, as well
5. Cover air vents with allergen filters
6. Keep humidity in check – don’t over do it with trying to over humidify your home.  Get a hygrometer and measure humidity inside, try and keep it less than 40 - 45% to avoid a buildup of mold spores and dust mites (they love excess humidity). 
7. Avoid excessive amount of house plants if you have sensitivities to mold spores
8. Hardwood floors and tile is better than wall to wall carpets and heavy rug
9. Vacuum frequently with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter in the vacuum cleaner which will able to catch many allergy-irritating particles (hopefully this can be done by non allergic individual). 
10. Keep out of room recently vacuumed or dusted for about one half hour to let the “dust settle”

Remodeling, renovations and decorating your home

1. Try and choose products made with real wood and low-VOC sealants.  
2. If you must use carpeting in your home, go for ones hat are free of formaldehyde and use allergy friendly paints. 
3. Open the windows to properly ventilate the home.
4. You can monitor levels of pollutants and gases inside

 Garage

1.  Exposure to chemicals, paints, mildew, fumes and gardening products.

 Additional tips

1. Control your stress during the frantic holiday period.
2. Learn coping and stress management strategies (yoga, meditation) if you are one of over 17 million with asthma.  Holiday stress can tighten respiratory passages and aggravate asthma.  
3. Lastly don’t forget if you have allergies and/or asthma have your emergency  medications on hand, in case of electrical outage from a winter storm

Get some more expert advice from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/1107/   and http://www.aaaai.org/winterallergy/2006/ as well as from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at: http://www.acaai.org/public/indoor/indoor.htm

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.

During in the fall and early winter time in most 4-season regions of the US, we see an upswing in the number of individuals who suffer with a variety of respiratory and allergy symptoms as a result of greater exposure to pet cats and dogs.  Almost 70% of U.S. households have one or more domestic pets, equally divided between cats and dogs, accounting for 100 million pets.

Allergic owners suffer from reactions to their pet’s dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine. Hair or fur also can collect pollens, mold spores and other outdoor allergens. Americans love their pets and a recent Japanese study found that one in four patients with pet allergies continue to keep a pet despite allergy- and asthma-related problems.  In addition, the study indicated approximately 80 percent of the pet owners surveyed kept their pets inside the home most of the time. 

The presence of allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, and there are no truly “hypoallergenic breeds.” According to another study I conducted at The Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, the color of a cat’s hair may influence true allergic symptoms in people exposed to the dander. Preliminary data from a self-administered questionnaire of 400 households with pet cats indicated a significantly greater amount of allergy-related symptoms (such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy skin) with exposure to dark cat hair. As expected, the severity of allergy symptoms also was greater in owners who permitted their pet’s unlimited access to the bedroom.

Keeping animals outdoors is only a temporary solution since pet dander will eventually accumulate in the house, carried inside on clothing. Even the type of clothing worn can affect the transportation of pet dander.

Taking Control

Keeping pets out of the bedroom can reduce unnecessary suffering since people spend approximately one-third of each day in this room. The presence of cats and dogs on owners’ beds contributes greatly to the amount of airborne allergens in the home. Exposure to airborne allergens, which also are spread by air currents, can be reduced by restricting the pet’s presence in bedrooms, dens or living rooms with upholstered furniture.  

Because pet dander is quite light and buoyant, and floats freely in the indoor air, electrostatic or HEPA air cleaners can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles, especially cat dander. The size of the space determines the size filter necessary, and units are available as tabletop models or can be adapted to central air conditioning systems. Placing a screen or filter over room vents may keep dander from traveling through the heating and air conditioning system. Bear in mind that it may take six months or more to completely rid the home of cat dander particles even after the pet is removed.

There are a variety of other measures that can be utilized to minimize contact with pet allergens:

• Get allergy tested and learn if you are really allergic to your pets!
• Avoid hugging and kissing pets if you are truly allergic to them.
• Remove litter boxes from direct contact with allergy sufferers and place them away from areas of air filtration intake vents in homes with central heating and air-conditioning.
• Wash hands after handling or touching a pet to help avoid spreading the dander.
• Consider placing plastic covers on the couch or other upholstered furniture (which may harbor pet allergens) where the pet sleeps or rests.
• Utilize washable mattress  (encasings) covers, pillow covers and bedding in 130 degree hot water
• Replace carpeting with tile, linoleum and hardwood or other solid-surface flooring.
• Wash your pet on a weekly basis. Recent studies have indicated that some significant reduction in the amount of pet allergens occurs with weekly washing of dogs and cats. This activity appears to reduce the amount of dander that causes allergy symptoms
• A non-allergic individual should brush the pet regularly, outside of the home.
• Speak with your pet’s veterinarian to get a well balanced diet for your pet. This change in diet may help to minimize hair loss for the pet and this can reduce dander indoors.
• Use a double or micro-filter bag and a HEPA filter in the vacuum to augment the filtration of the vacuum cleaner and, in turn, reduce the amount of pet allergen present in carpeting that leaks back into the room air. 
• Finally, for those allergy sufferers who want to keep their pets, look into the administration of allergy shots (immunotherapy) by your allergist/immunologist to reduce the unnecessary suffering associated with having a pet in the home.

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.

As we approach the Olympic Games in Beijing, China this week is time to take note if you find yourself “breathing heavy” during or after exercise.  This may a sign of more than just good aerobic activity.  Exercise-associated asthma can be the culprit; in many cases you may not realize you have this form of intermittent asthma.  Symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing during or shortly after exercise are commonly seen. 

In the past several Olympic Games up to one-fifth of athletes have a history of EIA (exercise induced asthma).  It certainly does not keep these elite athletes sidelined.  EIA may be triggered by “oversensitivity” to changing conditions including temperature, humidity as well as air quality, during the workout.  

Strategies in dealing with EIA

·         Hydrate with water before, during and after exercise

·         Warm up with a decent stretch and light exercise

·         Give yourself an adequate period for a “cool down” when done

·         Control your allergies and asthma triggers (especially on high pollen count days)

·         Check out the air quality index (pollution and ozone levels) before you exercise outdoors

·         Pre-treat with inhaled medication as advised by your doctor (after your diagnosis is confirmed) to prevent symptoms

Additional info and tips on “exercise induced asthma” can be found at www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/exerciseinducedasthma.stm.

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.

So you’ve gotten the hamburgers and hot dogs ready, the barbecue is heating up and the grand ‘ol flag flying high in the sky. But before you salute Memorial Day weekend here are some tips to help prevent taking the bite out of your holiday. Allergist, Dr. Clifford Bassett, weighs in.

How does one identify the insect doing the biting and stinging? Learn what stinging insects such as yellow jackets, honeybees, wasps and hornets look like to be properly prepared. Check out these quick facts about stinging insects: Stinging Insect Allergy Tips and Facts

Stinging Insect Survival Tips

* My best advice to prevent stings that means staying out of their territory and nests. In general, if you encounter a stinging insect, move away slowly.

* If you smell nice and look like a flower, then you will be a target for stinging insects.

* Around the BBQ try to keep food covered and consider wearing closed shoes

Getting treated

* First if you have had a serious or generalized reaction after being stung, stop reading and immediately make an appointment with an allergist familiar with the evaluation and treatment of stinging insect allergy!

* Speak to your allergist to learn if you are a candidate for a life saving treatment known as “immunotherapy”. This is a series of injections to “venom” that can provide up to 98% protection for those with venom allergies!

* Make sure you have a prescription epinephrine auto-injector with you if you have had a systemic allergic reaction (such as respiratory symptoms, throat tightness, hives and swelling) especially during the prime biting months in your area.

For some additional tips and information on what to do if you are stung check out these links to keep you informed:

The Sting of Summer

Tips to Remember Stinging Insect Allergy

Don’t let stinging insects take a bite out of your summer!

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.