Winter Allergies
By Christine Gorman |
A new report says your chronic colds and sniffles may be caused by irritants, not germs.
Most people don’t think of winter as an allergy season. But if you’re allergic to dust—or more accurately the mold, pollen, mites and insect parts that linger in dust—winter can be the worst time of year. When the furnace kicks on, all the dust that has settled into your carpet, atop the book-shelves and under the couch gets stirred up and wreaks havoc with your eyes, nose, sinuses and throat.
You and your doctor may dismiss your symptoms as just another winter cold. But while a cold generally lasts as long as 10 days, continued exposure to dust, if you’re allergic, can leave you feeling under the weather for weeks or months.
For the first time, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has gathered experts from 21 professional health associations to develop The Allergy Report. The task force spent 18 months looking at everything from ear infections to hay fever to allergic reactions to food and drugs. You can obtain a summary by calling the academy at 414-272-6071. Among the findings:
• Frequent upper respiratory infections—colds, strep throat, middle-ear and sinus infections—may be a sign of undiagnosed allergy. One of the ways the body responds to the tiny particles that trigger allergies is by producing mucus, which turns out to be a terrific medium for trapping and growing viruses and bacteria. Getting rid of the mucus, which means identifying and treating the allergy, makes it much less likely that you will catch those germs in the first place. As a general rule, infants who suffer more than six upper-respiratory infections a year, and school-age children and adults with more than three or four, should be evaluated for allergies.
• More than 75% of children who develop eczema—a skin condition that usually erupts around the mouth, on the inside of the elbow or behind the knee—also suffer an allergic reaction to food, mold or other environmental triggers. The foods that most commonly cause reactions are eggs, milk and peanuts.
Treating allergies doesn’t necessarily mean taking medication. “First identify the cause of the problem”, says Dr. Joel Karlin, an allergist in Lakewood, Colo. “Are there smokers in the house? Is the carpet old and mildewy? Is the dog sleeping on your bed?” Many people find relief simply by changing their environment. If you can’t bear to part with Fido, banning him from the bedroom can make a big difference. Special note to folks who are sensitive to ragweed: you may be cross-reactive to chamomile tea as well.
So if you feel as though you’ve had a cold all winter long, you may need to do something more than make chicken soup.
Note from the American Lung Association:
Perfume, room deodorizers, cleaning chemicals, paint, and talcum powder are examples of triggers that must be avoided or kept to very low levels. Be sure that your environment is as free of irritants and allergens as you can make it. If possible, use air filters to make your home cleaner and more comfortable.
References:
1. http://healthandenergy.com/winter_allergies.htm
2. http://www.aaaai.org/public/
3. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34706&ct=67448
For more info, call Preferred EcoSystems 775-626-6800.
