Allergy Seasonal Change

"At last! Ragweed allergy sufferers are smiling as autumn begins, the weather turns cooler, and sweaters are brought out of storage as the first frost approaches. But should they really forget about allergies for a while?"

The majority of seasonal allergy sufferers will also have year-round allergy triggers. These triggers are "indoor allergens," including dust, dust mites, cat dander and dog dander. As the heat comes on in cooler weather, the warm air will stir up these tiny irritants.
 
What can you do to reduce the airborne indoor allergens? First, a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) is a great idea. As awareness of their benefit has grown, demand for these filters has risen and consequently they are much more affordable now. Perhaps a great birthday or Christmas present? Additionally, newer vacuum cleaners will have HEPA filters within their collection system to further reduce airborne allergens.

We also recommend focusing on the bedroom when we work to remove/reduce allergens. The bedroom is where we spend the most hours of our day-asleep. If we can make that room more allergy-friendly, we will help ourselves breathe and feel better:

• Dust mite mattress and pillow covers put a barrier between our nose and the places where dust mites concentrate. Washing bedding in hot water (135°F or greater) kills dust mites and significantly reduces other allergens, whereas washing bedding in cold water significantly reduces allergen concentrations but does not kill dust mites. Laundry soaps and acaricides have little to no effect on dust mites and associated allergens.

• Limiting the amount of carpeting in the home greatly reduces allergen concentrations and maintaining humidity in the home around 40% prevents allergenic pests from thriving.

• Finally, move pets out of the bedroom if other reduction measures prove ineffective. Pet dander combined with dust mite exposure is particularly difficult for asthmatics to tolerate.
   
  Remember, we live in a world where allergens thrive. Fortunately, they cause relatively few problems for the vast majority of the population, but for those with allergic rhinitis or sensitive airways, reducing or even eliminating these allergens from the indoor environment will help them feel much better.

References: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology