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Issue date: May 21, 2000
A dozen
ways to beat allergies
About 35 million Americans -- including me -- have seasonal allergies,
or "hay fever." The first wave of allergens, in the spring, tends
to come from trees. Later, it's grasses. In summer and into the
fall, the usual culprit is ragweed. All these plants have small,
light pollens that are kicked up by the wind into the air that we
breathe.
Look at the illustration here
to see how our bodies overreact to allergens, leaving us with sniffles,
sneezes and other symptoms. If one parent has allergies, according
to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the risk
of a child developing allergies is 48%. If both parents have allergies,
the risk jumps to 70%.
If you suffer from allergies or know someone who does, don't give up hope!
You can try to avoid the allergen, use over-the-counter drugs, take prescription medications or even try allergy shots. Your physician usually can determine an easy, effective treatment plan.
If you have a more stubborn case, an evaluation by an allergist is the way to go. This medical Sherlock Holmes will go into much greater detail and perform in-depth evaluations to determine precisely what you may be allergic to, then proceed with extensive treatment programs.
The bottom line on allergies is to know your body, know your environment and know your treatment options.
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Here are ways you can manipulate your environment to make things
easier on yourself.
8 strategies
for outdoor allergies
- Watch the weather. When it's rainy and calm, pollen tends not to move
about. Windy, dry weather kicks up pollen, increasing allergy
symptoms in susceptible people. So if the pollen count is high
or if it's windy, stay indoors.
- Close the windows in your home and car to keep molds and pollens from
drifting in while you sleep or travel.
- Minimize outdoor activity in the early morning (5-10 a.m.), when the
pollen count is usually highest.
- Vacation in a relatively pollen-free area, such as the beach, at the
height of allergy season.
- Take allergy medicines regularly, as prescribed. Don't wait until
you are very sick to get treated.
- Don't mow lawns or rake leaves. This stirs up pollens and molds.
- Don't hang sheets or clothing outdoors to dry. Pollens and molds may
collect in them.
- Banish houseplants. If you must keep plants indoors, don't overwater
them. Wet soil encourages mold growth.
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4
strategies for indoor allergies
Indoor allergens tend to occur year round. In addition to treating yourself for the symptoms they cause, it's
also important to change your home environment. I realize this sounds quite gross, but the fact is things
like dust mites and cockroaches are around us all the time! Cleanliness is especially important in the bedroom, where people spend the most time.
- Control dust mites. They thrive in high humidity, so keep humidity
below 50% by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Remove carpeting
and use hardwood, tile or linoleum floors. Cover mattresses and
pillows with airtight, special-fabric covers, and wash all bedding
weekly in hot water. Use pillows filled with synthetic fibers.
Do a good job when dusting and vacuuming: A high-efficiency particulate
filter (HEPA) vacuum is much more effective than a standard vacuum
cleaner.
- Decrease animal dander. Unfortunately, for people with serious
allergies, giving a pet up is often the only choice. A poor second
is to try to minimize your exposure to the animal. It's especially
important not to let the animal go where you spend most of your
time (such as the bedroom). It is controversial whether your symptoms
will be relieved if your pet gets a weekly bath.
- Eliminate cockroaches. Limit their access to your home by sealing
all windows, doorjambs, cracks and crevices. Have an exterminator
treat the house regularly. It is extremely important to keep your
house clean: Keep foods in airtight containers, seal garbage containers,
clean surfaces and wash dishes immediately after meals. Pay particular
attention to areas where food is prepared.
- Decrease mold and mildew. This is relatively simple. Just clean
surfaces where molds and mildews are visible with a water-bleach
solution containing 5% bleach. If carpets and wallpaper have visible
mold, remove them; you will not be able to clean them adequately.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is the
director of the Wellness Program at the renowned Cooper Clinic in
Dallas.
ILLUSTRATION BY JARED SCHNEIDMAN for USA WEEKEND
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