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When Spring Triggers

Allergy and Asthma Symptoms

A Health Message from Wagoner Community Hospital

(May 1, 2011) Sometimes it seems as if everyone in Oklahoma is suffering from the stuffy, runny nose and itchy eyes of allergies. Springtime in Oklahoma can be especially bad since warm, windy days spread pollen across a wide swatch of the state. When allergies and asthma go hand-in-hand, the problems can be even more serious.

“If you think Oklahoma is a bad place to live if you have allergies and asthma, you are right,” Chriss Roberts, D.O. said. “A recent study identified the worst places in the U.S. to live if you suffer from asthma. The study looked at air quality and allergy triggers, the availability of asthma specialists and the number of people with uncontrolled asthma symptoms. Tulsa was ranked as the 5^th worst city in the country.”

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Eighty percent of the people with asthma have allergies to airborne substances such as tree, grass and weed pollens, mold, animal dander, dust mites and cockroach particles. If you or a family member has asthma, it’s important to try to identify the triggers for attacks and avoid them.

“In someone with allergies, when allergens get into the nose, they send the immune system into overdrive,” Dr. Roberts said. “The body treats the allergen as a foreign invader and releases antibodies. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of histamines. And, histamines are the culprits causing the runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms of allergies.

“Allergies become more serious for someone with asthma, but they can be more than just a nuisance for all sufferers,” Dr. Roberts continued. “In some cases, uncontrolled allergic reactions can lead from itching and sneezing to swollen and congested nasal passages and sinuses. This significantly increases the risk for developing a sinus infection. Infected mucus can drip down the back of the throat and trigger gastroesophageal reflux in people with that problem. If the mucus drips into the Eustachian tube, hearing can be temporarily affected and an ear infection can develop. When the mucus gets into the lungs, it can irritate lungs and airways. For someone with asthma, the airway irritation triggers flare-ups and can lead to bronchitis.”

Whether or not you have asthma in addition to your seasonal allergies, it is important to minimize exposure to allergens for allergic family members. Follow these tips:

Don’t allow smoking in the house.

Wash all bedding in hot water once a week
Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming or painting to limit dust and chemical exposure.

When possible, choose hardwood or tile flooring rather than carpets or throw rugs. (Make sure throw rugs are washable, and wash them frequently.)
If it isn’t practical to get rid of your carpeting, vacuum twice a week with a multi-layer, allergen-proof vacuum bag.
Look for products that eliminate dust mites from carpeting.
Eliminate as many dust-collecting items as possible and keep the home well dusted.

Clean up food spills and use roach traps to eliminate cockroaches. Since roaches like humid areas, fix any water leaks.
Whenever possible, keep clothing, toys and books in drawers, closets, closed cabinets or toy boxes with lids and keep the drawers, doors and lids closed.
Change filters on heaters and air conditioners regularly. Cover air ducts with filters or cheesecloth, and change when soiled
Keep indoor humidity levels low. Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
Consider having your air ducts professionally cleaned.
Don’t hang clothing or linens outside to dry because pollen and mold can collect in them.
Remove laundry from the washer promptly. Wet clothes in the washer can quickly grow mold.
If you have pets and pet dander is an allergy trigger, regularly bathe or wipe down the animal with waterless bathing wipes. Consider banning the pet from the bedrooms of the most allergic members of the household.
Store firewood outside.
Clean bathrooms regularly with products that kill and prevent mold. Use exhaust fans to vent steam after use. Avoid carpets in the bathroom.
Keep indoor plants out of bedrooms.
When painting inside your home, add a mold-inhibitor to the paint.
Limit outdoor activities during times of high pollen counts, typically early mornings.
Stay indoors on humid or windy days when pollen counts are high.
Keep windows closed and use air conditioning. In the car, use the air conditioning set on re-circulate.
Wear a mask when mowing or working in the yard. Avoid raking damp leaves or debris.
Whenever you come in from outside, take a shower. Wash your hair and change clothes to remove pollen that may have collected.

“Many people with mild allergy symptoms can find relief with over-the-counter products, Dr. Roberts concluded. “However, if your allergies aren’t well controlled with this approach – or your allergy problems trigger asthma attacks – talk to your doctor about prescription medications or the possible benefits of allergy shots.”

When Spring Triggers

Allergy and Asthma Symptoms

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