So what is in the air? Look out for seasonal tree pollens now wherever you are and learn more about these allergy culprits that are likely to be not only in your backyard — but also in your nose and eyes!  

Plant pollens such as trees, grasses and weeds are not the only allergens that affect the us while working in the garden. Many mold spores also affect people in the outdoors, seasonally, or even year round.

If there is an existing pollen problem in your landscape, replace that plant with a less allergenic selection.  A system that may help you do this and indicates the likelihood of a plant’s potential to cause allergy is the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale.

A pollen-producing tree in your own yard will expose you to up to ten times the amount of pollen as would the same tree planted just down the block from your home! 

Here are some more allergy sufferer’s tips for you and your yard:

• Wear a pollen mask while gardening
• Keep grass cut short
• Avoid touching your eyes and nose while gardening
• Plan outdoor time for rainy, wet, cloudy and windless days — which usually have lower pollen counts
• After yard work, leave your clothing outside of your bedroom, brush off your shoes and rinse your glasses. Also, wear gloves to minimize local contact and reduce irritation to the skin of your hands and arms
• Limit your gardening to short intervals on “high” pollen days
• If you are allergic to mold spores, avoid damp places and stagnant water
• Proximity and location of pollen-producing trees, shrubs and plants will affect your exposure to seasonal allergens
• Planting female trees in one’s own yard may trap incoming airborne pollen from male plants

Other resources are www.aaaaai.org and www.allergyandasthmarelief.org

Happy planting!

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.

Winter is in full swing across the country, with temperatures hovering below freezing.   Many people experience dry, irritated, cracked and chapped skin due to the combination of cold air coupled with extreme temperatures from indoor heating and outdoor sports.  This time of year can be especially challenging for patients with eczema (a common condition where the patient experiences skin dryness and recurring skin rashes.)

The best way to prevent dry, irritated and chapped, cracked skin is to keep it fully moisturized.  The first and simplest step that I recommend to my patients is using a humidifier indoors.  Humidifiers add moisture to the air which can help you feel better and avoid getting sick.  The additional moisture can eliminate or minimize a dry nose, prevent dry, itchy or cracked skin along with helping many avoid allergy and asthma problems.  Most patients notice a difference in the skin severity immediately after the humidifier is in place. 

The second step to reducing the symptoms of winter skin is to use a moisturizer with a higher oil content.  These moisturizers form a layer of protection that literally locks in moisture. Ointments are also another good choice. An ointment is basically a water and oil emulsion that can contain as much as 70 to 80 percent oil.  You can also use any products on the market for “extra” dry skin.  While these do not contain as much oil as ointment, they do have higher oil content than traditional moisturizers, and this will definitely help protect and condition skin while reducing itchiness and redness associated with winter skin.

The greatest way to moisturize skin in winter months is to apply a moisturizer or ointment immediately after showering.  During this time, there is the added benefit of locking in the moisture.  Be sure to use warm (not hot) water for your showers. A hot, steamy shower or bath, while it can feel great on a cold day, can actually make your skin feel worse.  Opt for warm showers and for best results, pat skin dry and immediately apply a highly moisturizing lotion or ointment.  This will definitely help improve your skin and prevent it from drying out.

This blog wouldn’t be complete until we stress the importance of using sunscreen ― even in winter.  Sunscreens are not just for the beach and sun bathing.  Use a sunscreen everyday without exception.  I suggest using a broad spectrum sun block with at least an SPF of 15, but preferably a SPF of 30.

Other helpful tips include dressing in layers to prevent skin from becoming too cold or too overheated (indoors).  Sweaty, moist skin when combined with extreme and sometimes harsh temperatures can cause further irritation. 

In addition, drink plenty of water.  Not only does this help your skin replenish moisture, it helps your body in countless ways. 

This is the advice I have given my patients for years and I hope that it helps reduce your dry and itchy skin so that the winter months can be more enjoyable.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

A rather interesting headline caught my eye today—and I’m sure you’ll understand why…

“Woman Sues Victoria’s Secret, Claims Injury From Defective Thong”

A 52-year-old Los Angeles woman is suing Victoria’s Secret claiming she suffered an injury from a faulty pair of thong underwear. It seems a “design problem” caused a piece decorative metallic material to fly off the panties and into her eye as she attempted to step into the sexy skivvies. The Smoking Gun is reporting that prior to the lawsuit, officials from Victoria’s Secret had asked to see the fabric offender, but were refused by the woman’s lawyer.

Now this seems like a ridiculous claim to me. Rather than suing the company, she should be thankful that she is avoiding the possible health risks associated with sporting these skimpy undergarments.

While there is not much published research on the subject, I can offer some anecdotal research from my 25 years of seeing female patients as an OB/GYN doctor. And ladies, I’m sorry to tell you that no matter how sexy they make you feel, no matter how many panty line nightmares they have saved you from, or how “comfortable” they may be—they do increase your risk for infection!

There is indirect evidence to suggest that the chronic use of a thong can lead to a bladder infection. Remember there are many kinds of bacteria lurking in the vagina and around the anus. Also the female urethra is very short. So the presence of that thin strip of fabric in this area could increase the likelihood of bacteria exchange into the female bladder, ultimately causing a urinary tract infection to develop. Other problems that have been reported by “chronic-thong-wearing-women” are clitoral irritation, chafing or lacerations to the anus, and vaginal infections.

Now I’m not condemning thongs completely but it’s important to take into account a woman’s individual gynecological history. Remember, what might be right for some may not be right for others.