By Albert S. Hartel, M.D.
Even though it is impossible to completely hide from the Rochester allergen onslaught, there are likely things you may be unknowingly doing that are making your allergies and asthma worse and amplifying the effects of exposures.
Allergic inflammation is cumulative and builds up so that the obvious things that give you symptoms may only be part of the problem.
Identifying all contributors can give you more cushion and significantly reduce symptoms and naturally minimize medication requirements.
1. Not Washing with HOT Water.
To kill the millions of dust mites crawling on your bedding, warm water doesn’t cut it. Washing sheets at 140°F kills 100% of dust mites, while washing at 104°F eliminated just 6.5%. Don’t forget to wash the blankets and comforters too.
2. Getting the Cheap Air Filters.
Skimping on your furnace filter can be costly in terms of symptoms. HEPA certified filters are the most effective for reducing allergens and can filter out 99.7% of all particulates in the air that pass through them. Regular vacuuming and using small room HEPA air purifiers will also help — particularly in the bedroom and living room.
3. Getting a “Hypoallergenic” Dog.
The term “hypoallergenic” was a great marketing ploy by breeders. But unfortunately there is truly no such thing. Hair vs. fur makes no difference, as the allergen comes from skin, saliva and urine. The average “hypoallergenic” dog makes as much allergen per square inch of skin as any other dog. However, smaller dogs do have less skin surface area. Any dog means more allergen and also more pollen trucked in from outdoors.
4. Blaming it All on Germs.
If you need antibiotics for sinusitis or bronchitis every spring or fall, it’s likely more than just bad luck. Everyone gets sick, but if the cycle repeats itself the same time every year, its likely cyclic allergic inflammation making you more prone. If every cold and infection tends to spiral into the chest, that is also suspicious for underlying chronic allergic or asthmatic inflammation.
5. Open Windows.
When windows are open, outdoor pollen drifts inside and deposits all over your carpet, furniture and car upholstery and continues to induce symptoms, even after window is closed. Air conditioning is an excellent filter in the home and even in the car can reduce pollen by 30%.
6. Ignoring the Pollen Count.
Pollen counts report daily levels of allergens which can fluctuate greatly. The only Rochester pollen count is done by AAIR and can be checked by following us on Facebook.
7. Having Another Drink.
During fermentation of beer, wine and liquor, yeast and bacteria produce histamine, which can cause or enhance allergy symptoms. Red wine and beer contain the most histamine.
8. Stuffed Animals.
Stuffed animals are loaded with millions of dust mites and when they are in bed, the dust mites are also getting cozy with your kids. Anything that can’t be cleaned immediately should be washed weekly in super hot water or put in the freezer twice a week. Encasing the pillow and mattress also helps substantially reduce dust mites.
9. Letting Stress Build Up.
A recent article correlated persistent emotional stress with more frequent allergy flares. People with a negative mood also had more and allergy symptoms over the course of the study.
10. Plopping on the Couch After Spending Time Outdoors.
It feels good to kick back and relax after an outdoor run, heavy yard work, sporting events or just coming in to beat the heat. However, you bring in microscopic pollen on your clothes and hair. This gets left on bed and furniture for re-exposure for days. Showering at night also helps reduce the reservoir inside your house. Pets and even family members who aren’t allergic are trucking it in too.
11. Overmedicating.
The best treatment plan is to reduce exposures and minimize medications. More symptoms shouldn’t mean reflexively piling on more each year or long-term daily steroid inhalers. The best way to combat allergies and asthma is to find out exactly what you are allergic to and consider allergy shots to naturally turn off your body’s overreactions and chemical release. Shots can lead to long-term relief and often the ability to stop with continued benefit.