Author Archives: AACC

How to Manage Pet Allergies

For a lot of people, their dogs, cats, and other animals are members of the family. From cuddling to watching pets offer companionship to people who care for them. However, when you have a furry friend, asthma and allergies can be a less-than-perfect partnership. Three out of ten people with allergies are reactive to cats and dogs.

An allergy specialist sees this a lot in their patients, which is why they should know their triggers and how to manage symptoms when they happen. A lot of people think that fur causes allergies. The reality is that proteins in dander or dead skin cells collect animal hair. If you want to learn more, read on.

Understand Pet Allergies

You need to see a doctor and get tested to determine what allergies you have. You could find out that you are allergic to something else and not really your pet. For instance, you might assume that you are allergic to your dog, only to discover that you are allergic to tree pollen that goes on his fur while walking outside.

If the test shows that you are allergic to your pet, you should understand what causes your allergic reaction. There are proteins that trigger allergies known as allergens in skin glands and saliva that cling to the dry skin of animals and fur. The fur and dander will then stick to carpets, clothing, and walls.

Clean Your Rugs Once a Week

If you want to reduce how much dander is in your home, you should focus on spots that are magnets for it, such as carpets and rugs. You should make sure to vacuum carpets once weekly with a device that uses HEPA filter. They suck up small bits of matter, like pet dander, that other vacuums could miss. Your rugs should be washed once a week.

Pet dander can stick to hard surfaces like floors and walls, so make sure to clean them regularly based on proper care instructions for any materials.

Use an Allergy-capturing Filter

When you regularly change it every 3 months, they are going to capture the invisible and visible dander and other allergens, which effectively vacuum air that flows through your filter. You will get the benefits of allergen defense, and the best dust-holding power of any filter. Improve indoor quality by capturing allergens and holding 2X more dust because a cleaner, fresher home is happy.

Do Not Allow Pets in Your Bedroom

People spend half of their time in the bedroom, which is why you should never allow your pet to sleep in bed with you. Make sure to limit the access of your pets to the bedroom by keeping your bedroom door closed all the time. Regularly wash your bedding and consider an allergen-free mattress cover that fits on your box spring and mattress.

Bathe Your Pet Every Week

When you do this, you are reducing the allergy-causing dander you have. Cats can become used to bathing, but it is important to only use products that are for cats; kittens might need kitten shampoo. Ask your veterinary staff or a good book on pet care for directions when it comes to safe bathing. It would be good to use a shampoo that is recommended by your veterinarian or animal care specialist.

Consider Your Environment

If you are already allergic to dust mites, mold, pollen, or cigarette smoke, your allergies have most likely kicked in. This will make you extra sensitive when you add a pet.

You can try an allergist specialist Germantown MD anytime you need to address pet allergies.

What is of Aspirin Desensitization

Aspirin is an important drug used by people all over the world to help with medical conditions. However, with a lot of people that suffer from a sensitivity to aspirin, using aspirin as allergy treatment is very important for positive health outcomes. You can check an allergy clinic if you want to have an effective aspirin desensitization treatment so you can offer relief for individuals.

There are about 1.2 million and 1.6 million people in the US who have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, which causes a lot of frustration for a lot of patients. Due to aspirin desensitization, you can overcome the worst symptoms caused by this condition. If you want to know more about this, you can read on.

What is Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD)?

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) includes chronic asthma, sinusitis that has nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients who have this condition experience mild to severe symptoms of any respiratory conditions for aspirin-related medications. Other medications can have ibuprofen and naproxen. Approximately 1 in 10 patients who have asthma or 1 in 3 patients with asthma and sinusitis with nasal polyps could be sensitive to aspirin and other NSAIDs that leads to having AERD.

Symptoms of Aspirin Sensitivity

People with aspirin sensitivity can have symptoms like:

Hives, itching, swelling, or
Shortness of breath, worsening and wheezing of nasal/sinus symptoms

In some cases, the aspirin adverse reaction could be serious or life-threatening.

How is AERD Diagnosed

The AERD diagnosis is clinical, which means that there is no certain test or blood result that can be used to diagnose the disease. The triad asthma plus symptoms and nasal polyps and respiratory reactions to NSAIDs are everything that is needed for diagnosis. For patients with a history of possible reaction to an NSAID is unclear, and normally it is helpful to do an aspiring challenge to confirm your diagnosis. You can do this either as an oral challenge, or a combination of oral or intranasal challenges. The procedure is in a hospital or clinic with a medical team and an experienced doctor.

In addition, people who have AERD have huge numbers of eosinophils in the nasal polyps and elevated levels of eosinophils in their bloodstream. Eosinophils are a kind of immune cell that has inflammation. Even if the presence of an elevated eosinophil level is not needed in the diagnosis, it can be good additional insight for patients.

Benefits of Aspirin Desensitization

Aspirin desensitization will allow a patient to gain these benefits:

Improved asthma control
Decreased doses of corticosteroid
Delayed regrowth of nasal polyps that causes surgeries that are less related to sinus (polyps surgeries)
Less need for medication for respiratory symptoms treatment
Aspirin tolerance (ASA) and NSAIDs
Better sense of smell and taste

Success Rate of Aspirin Desensitization

There is a recent study reported that AERD patients who can continue aspirin desensitization treatment for over a year, were the ones to experience the most benefits.

Risks of Aspirin Desensitization

The aspirin dose that is given during desensitization of aspirin is a lot smaller compared to what is taken in a lot of cases. The reactions because of a lower dose are normally less severe, in most cases compared to the reaction of what a patient would have gone through if they took a full dose. Here are the risks of aspirin desensitization:

Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Tightness in your throat
Stomach pain
Heartburn
Nausea
Hives
Blood pressure rarely drops

The physician will monitor you closely, including your vital signs, lung function, and oxygen intake.

You can check an allergy center Manassas VA anytime.

Food Allergies that are More Common than Others

A lot of foods cause allergies, but others are more common. About 90% of serious food allergies are linked to proteins in certain foods, like eggs, milk, soy, peanuts, wheat, fish, tree nuts, sesame, and shellfish.

Most of the time, these foods are ingredients in other foods, which means avoiding them calls for diligence, including precise labeling and other measures. There might be times when exposures unknowingly happen.

You might have to call an allergy doctor if you notice that you have an allergic reaction to some of these. In case you are unaware of what the most common food allergies are, you should do research and start by reading this article until the end. Read more now.

Cow’s Milk

Allergy to cow’s milk is one of the most common hypersensitivities in young children, most likely because it is the first foreign protein that a lot of infants ingest in huge quantities. If there is an allergy to cow’s milk, even infants who are breastfed may have eczema or colic until dairy foods and milk have been eliminated from their mother’s diet.

A lot of children outgrow milk allergy while their immune systems mature.

Eggs

People who have egg allergies are triggered by egg proteins. You might be allergic to egg white, egg yolk, or even both. Experts recommend staying away from eggs when you are allergic.

About 2.5% of children are allergic to eggs, which makes it the second most common food allergy in young children. Diagnosis normally happens before reaching the age of 2. Half of the children are going to outgrow their allergy when they are 5, and most people will outgrow it when they reach adolescence.

Eggs should be listed on food labels in simple language, like “contains eggs.” It is important to always read the label before consumption.

Peanut

Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergy food allergies. Peanuts are different from cashews, tree nuts, almonds, walnuts, and more. peanuts grow underground and they are from a different plant family, which is legumes. Other legume examples include peas, beans, soybeans, and lentils. Having a peanut allergy does not mean you have a bigger chance of being allergic to a different legume.

Wheat and Gluten

Rice and oats are normally the first cereals that are introduced into your diet because they are less likely compared to other grains to cause allergic reactions. If there are no issues with oats, wheat is next. Wheat grain is usually linked with allergies, but it is still uncommon. This is unfortunate because wheat can be found in a lot of prepared foods.

There are 2 kinds of negative immune reactions to consuming wheat. The first classic reaction is hives and the second one is wheezing which happens right away after the child consumes wheat.

Soy

People who have soy allergies react to the proteins in soy. Normally, allergic reactions are mild, but with all food allergies, it might lead to a severe and life-threatening reaction.

Soy is a common allergy in food for children but it is less for teens and adults. Approximately 0.4% of children have an allergy to soy. It is estimated that 50% of the kids outgrow a soy allergy after one year, and most of them will outgrow it when they are 10.

Fish

Finned fish is among the most common food allergy. This is normally lifelong. About 40% of people who are allergic to fish get their first reaction when they are adults. The most common types of fish that people are allergic to are tuna, halibut, and salmon.

You can go to an allergist Germantown MD anytime.

How to Relieve Itchy Hives

Hives are itchy, sometimes it has a lumpy rash that will appear on the surface of the person’s skin. Home remedies and medication can normally treat hives quickly.

Hives are intensely itchy and discolored raised areas of the skin. They can be anywhere on your body. Normally, hives have a trigger, which is both non-allergic and allergic.

While hive symptoms can be irritating, there are many ways of treating, soothing and removing them. When you go to an allergy specialist, they will talk to you about it in detail, especially the symptoms, and potential complications you can encounter.

If you have been suffering from hives, you should know that there are ways to relieve them. Read on now.

Lukewarm Bath

Hot water can be very irritating to your skin, but you can add different products to a bath so you can relieve the itching sensation. You should sprinkle in baking soda and colloidal oatmeal to achieve a soothing effect.

Colloidal oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties and forms a protective barrier on the skin, which holds in moisture and eases inflammation. It can be found in a lot of moisturizers, cleaners, and shampoos that will benefit people who have sensitive skin.

Avoid Products that can Cause Skin Irritation

Certain soaps can dry your skin and causes more itching when you suffer from hives. Make sure to use soap that has been marketed for sensitive skin. Look for a great selection that will suit you. Choose the ones that omit fragrance and other irritants.

You must also avoid using irritating moisturizers or lotions. When you doubt it, choose a formula that will target sensitive skin. Applying it immediately after bathing can also help soothe the itch.

Follow the Treatment Plan

If you want the treatment to take effect, you should follow the treatment plan the allergy doctor recommended and created for you.

The treatment plan might not work when you take allergy medications less often than what was prescribed. For instance, if the doctor has prescribed a daily antihistamine and you only take it during a flare-up, you might still get hives.

Use Over-the-Counter Medication

Hives are treated best using over-the-counter antihistamines or topical creams such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone. Antihistamine medications suppress the histamine that the body releases, which causes your itchy reaction. Topical treatments work on the skin cells to stop histamine from getting released. You should not apply topical creams to hives if they are on your face or if the skin is infected or broken.

Use Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is known for the healing properties it provides you.

Even if it is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can cause contact dermatitis so you should do a skin patch test before applying it.

In order to do a skin patch test, you can simply add a small amount to an unaffected area. If you can do that, apply it to the side of your forearm. If you do not encounter skin irritation within 24 hours, you can apply it to your hives.

The topical aloe vera can be applied to your hives as you need to, which is likely a couple of times a day. Make sure to follow the instructions.

When Should You See a Doctor?

The severity of hives varies. Even if most people can manage the symptoms at home, you might have to seek medical attention if:

The symptoms last for days
The symptoms worsen
The rash is too painful and leave bruises
The symptoms interfere with your daily life
You experience dizziness

You can go to an allergy center Germantown MD anytime if you need to consult a doctor.

How to Prevent Skin Allergies

Itchy skin can be frustrating, no matter what the cause is. Even if it might feel better for the time being when you scratch, it will only worsen when you scratch continuously. In order to manage itchy skin, you have to understand the cause and look for the right remedy.

Keep in mind that there is pollen in spring, dry dust in winter, and dust in the summer. These changes in the season bring you sets of irritants and reactors for millions of people that can make skin allergies worse. When you go to an allergy clinic, the doctor will explain to you what treatment is needed and how to prevent it from happening. Find out more about it now.

What Skin Allergies are There?

Skin allergies happen when you have an immune system that reacts to a perceived threat, which will normally be harmless to your body. The common symptoms of skin allergy include:

Redness
Itching
Raised bumps
Swelling
Skin flaking
Skin cracking

The best way to avoid skin allergies is to avoid or limit your contact with an allergen. However, if you encounter an allergen, you can choose home remedies to address the symptoms.

How to Manage Skin Allergies

The scratches should be kept clean – You will be tempted to scratch itchy skin. However, if you are not careful, you could end up with a blister or create a wound because of your nails. Either way, the open-wound scratches can get infected if it does not receive proper care. You should try washing your hands before touching the scratches and keeping fingernails short to lower the risk of irritation and infection.
Take a cold shower – A cold bath can help reduce allergies and skin irritation. A cold shower will help blood vessels to shrink and will not allow histamine to come out. It will also reduce skin irritation and the severity of allergic reactions.
Oatmeal – Oatmeal has different biological active properties, which include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. All of these can help soothe allergic skin reaction itchiness.

Among the popular ways to treat skin allergic reactions include a poultice or an oatmeal bath. Both need powdered oatmeal. You will be able to make a powdered meal when you grind store-bought oatmeal into a fine powder with a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor.

Wear the right clothes – Some kinds of materials like polyester or wool cause irritation and swelling, which leads to an itch. Clothes made from bamboo, cotton, or silk are easier on your skin by becoming more breathable and softer while it is eczema-friendly.
Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil will go wonders as a moisturizer. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which is helpful in repairing skin after any allergic issues and it reduces itching as well. This type of remedy is best when you compare it to chemical moisturizers.
Air conditioner and/or humidifier – When your skin is feeling hot and/or dry, maybe you will find that the itchiness of your skin gets worse. You should use a humidifier and/or air conditioner so your skin will be in a better environment.
Medical herbs and plants (Neem, Aloe Vera, Basil, Coriander, Calendula) – Aloe Vera is an excellent choice to manage your allergies because it has strong antibacterial, anti-irritant, and anti-fungal properties. Aloe Vera has a fleshy gel that can soothe allergies.
Avoid scratching the itch – It could seem like the hardest thing to do, but you should try not to scratch your skin because the irritation will only get worse.

You can go to an allergy center Manassas VA anytime if you need more tips on how to manage skin allergies.

How to Prevent Food Allergies in Kids

Food allergies are a constant concern for parents. Almost 6 million children become affected by food allergies, and food allergy prevalence of food allergy has a 50% increase since 1997. Having a sibling or parent with allergies increases the risk of a child developing allergies. Therefore, if you or your partner is among the 9 million adults that suffer from food allergies, you could be wondering how you can prevent the same for a child.

You can go to an allergy doctor during your pregnancy to get the best advice on what to do so you can prevent allergies as much as possible. There are always treatments you can get, but it is a lot better if you do not have to at all.

Do Not Restrict the Diet of Your Child

Maternal diet while pregnant or in lactation must not be restricted because it is a way of preventing the development of food allergies.

The main point has been the topic of debate for so many years. Based on the discussion, it is the desire for parents to lessen the chance that their child is going to develop food allergies. An older piece of advice has suggested avoiding allergenic foods while pregnant and during breastfeeding as a way to decrease food allergy risks. Unfortunately, this strategy is not proven to be effective when it comes to reducing food allergies.

Breastfeed Your Baby

Breastfeeding your baby can help prevent the development of food allergies. Since breastfeeding is connected to a lot of health benefits, it is recommended that you breastfeed your baby beyond 2 years old.

Introduce Common Food Allergens When they are Ready for Solid Foods

For most babies, this is about 6 months. Your baby can have solid foods when they can already do the following:

Hold their head up
Tell you when they are already full
Sit and lean forward
Pick up food while bringing it to their mouth

You should not introduce solid foods before 4 months old. Your baby is not going to be ready. It is not going to help reduce the risk of your baby developing a food allergy.

Once you have introduced only a few other solid foods, you can offer food allergens all at one time. There is no research showing that you have to wait a certain number of days between those.

Foods You Can Take to Help Prevent Allergic Disease

When you are an expectant mother and eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, you can decrease the risk of allergic diseases in your child. This appears to be true if you have asthma and you have a male child.

Foods high in omega 3 are:

Sardines
Salmon
Tuna
Oysters
Chia seeds
Mackerel
Flaxseeds
Walnuts
Fortified foods like certain brands of yogurt, eggs, milk, and juices

Eating foods rich in vitamin D also reduces the risk of food allergy and asthma in children.

Foods high in vitamin D are:

Fish
Dairy products
Mushrooms
Egg yolks
Vitamin D-enriched foods such as soy milk, cereal, and orange juice

Early Introduction can Help Prevent Peanut Allergy

Studies have shown that giving foods that contain peanuts early to high-risk infants can prevent peanut allergies from developing.

Giving foods that contain peanuts early to an infant can help prevent peanut allergy. Based on the study, a group of infants that are at risk of peanut allergies that were given 2 grams of peanut thrice a week had a lot less peanut allergy when they reached 5 years old.

You can talk to an Allergist Germantown MD if you need more advice about this.

What are the Causes of an Itchy Throat

An itchy throat occurs for a lot of reasons, like allergies, getting exposed to irritating substances, infection, and situations that are easy to treat.

Most of the time, coughing happens if you have an itchy throat because it is the body’s defense mechanism against irritating stimulants. Other symptoms such as throat inflammation, and runny nose can also happen.

An itchy throat is irritating, but it can be worrying as well. However, it is common to have an itchy throat when you have a cold or when you are coughing. Over the years people have discovered why it is important to see an allergy specialist. You can find out more about this when you read until the end.

Dehydration

Dehydration is caused by insufficient water quantity in your body because of several factors like diarrhea, decreased fluid intake, vomiting, prolonged sun exposure, or excess sweating. Dehydration can also cause symptoms such as thirst, itchy throat, decreased output of urine, dry mouth, or low blood pressure. You can also have dry skin or eyes because of dehydration. You can also have an increased heart rate and dizziness.

Allergic Rhinitis and/or Allergies

This one is also known as hay fever, and it may be among the most common causes of an itchy throat. It occurs when the body will overreact to a harmless substance, which releases a chemical known as histamine causing overreactions. Some of the common triggers are skin flakes from animal hair, pollen, irritants, and dust like cigarette smoke or even exhaust fumes. Food allergies like eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts, and wheat can cause itching in your mouth and throat as well. A lot of people suffer from allergies to some medications, like penicillin and also other antibiotics. Itchiness in your throat starts shortly after you take a new medication is a drug allergy.

Acid Reflux

This is also known as heartburn, and if your stomach acid enters your trachea, throat irritation is one of the known symptoms. If you are suffering from this condition, it can happen more often when you are lying down.

Viral and Bacterial Infections

Viruses that are caused by the common cold or flu virus can trigger an itchy throat. When you are suffering from the flu, you can get a dry cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and headache as well. Regardless if it is because of the flu or worsening colds, these headaches can be caused by a build-up of fluid in your sinuses, and nasal passages. It makes them swollen, which causes pain-inducing pressure.

Food Allergy

A food allergy is caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response to a certain substance that you find in food. Inflammation affects different parts of the body, like your eyelids, mouth, and tongue, which makes breathing harder.

Medication allergies are similar to food allergies, but the allergic substance is normally easily identified while the allergy response is normally a lot quicker.

Medication

A side effect of a specific medication can be a scratchy throat or dry cough. An allergy to a certain medication can be the cause as well.

Tonsil or Cold Infection

Some respiratory infections, such as tonsil infection, cold, or pharyngitis, leave your throat itchy before it develops into serious symptoms like local inflammation and pain. Other symptoms can include coughing, runny nose, ear itching, fever, discomfort, and chills that can be very uncomfortable. Sometimes, your sleep will be ruined and you will have trouble getting back to sleep.

You can talk to an allergist specialist Germantown MD anytime you need to consult someone about your itchy throat.

Signs of Dust Mite Allergy

Dust mite allergy is caused by an allergic reaction to small bugs that live in the dust. The signs of dust mite allergy can include the ones that are common to hay fever, like runny nose and sneezing. A lot of people with dust mite allergy can also experience symptoms of asthma like sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.

When you take steps to lessen the dust mites in your home, you can have better control of dust mite allergy. Medications and other treatments can sometimes be necessary to relieve symptoms and control asthma.

It would be good to know the signs of dust mites before going to an allergy clinic because you can easily tell the doctor what you experienced.

What Causes Dust Mite Allergies

An allergy is the response of the immune system to an unknown substance that is not normally harmful to the body. These substances are known as allergens. They can include specific foods, dust mites, and pollens. People who have dust mite allergies have a bad reaction to the bug remnants. These remnants can include small amounts of decaying bodies and feces.

Your household might be clean, but it will not take a lot to create an environment that is perfect for dust mites.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dust mites caused by nasal passages inflammation include:

Running nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Itchy nose and/or throat
Postnasal drip
Nasal congestion
Cough
Pain and facial pressure
Blue-colored skin under the eyes
Frequent rubbing of the nose in a child

If the allergy adds to your asthma, you can also experience the following:

Chest pain or tightness
Breathing difficulty
Wheezing or whistling sound while exhaling
Trouble sleeping because of shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
Coughing or wheezing gets worse because of respiratory illnesses or viruses like the flu or cold

Dust mite allergy could range from mild to severe. A mild dust mite allergy could cause a runny nose from time to time, watery eyes, and even sneezing. In most cases, the condition might be ongoing, which causes persistent coughing, sneezing, congestion, eczema, facial pressure, or asthma attack.

Diagnosing Allergies of Dust Mites

You should talk to an allergist if you feel that your symptoms are worse at home, especially when you clean or when you lie down in bed. The allergist can diagnose and treat allergies.

The allergist is going to use diagnostic tests in order to determine if you are allergic to dust mites. The most common kind of test is a skin-prick test. In this test, the allergist is going to choose an area of the skin with a small allergen extract. The allergist will wait 15 minutes to check if the skin has a negative reaction. In case you have a reaction, you are going to develop a big bump around the skin’s pricked area. The area can also become itchy and red.

Treatment

Antihistamines help relieve runny nose, itching, and sneezing
Nasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation with some side effects compared to their oral counterparts
Decongestants can make tissues smaller in nasal passages, so you can breathe easily
Medications that combine antihistamines and decongestant

How Long Does it Last?

When dust mite allergens no longer surround you, the symptoms you have will normally go away after a couple of hours. If your dust mite allergies are severe, you might have symptoms for a couple of days. This can be uncomfortable and can even disrupt sleep if you do not take anything for treatment.

You can go to an allergy center Manassas VA anytime if you need to seek treatment for your dust mite allergy.

Why Asthma Gets Worse in the Fall?

Yearly, asthmatics have an uphill battle in the fall. That is because the air is more polluted when the weather is dryer and colder, which causes their lungs to fight asthma attacks harder. Asthma patients have more risk of having asthma attacks during the months of September and November so you should always take note.

While it is colder outside, trees, grasses, and other plants will enter the dormant season. In this period, plants release nitric oxide to prevent freezing. Nitric oxide majorly triggers asthma. Nitric oxide is produced by humans and it is important for survival. It will help blood vessels dilate and it improves blood flow.

You can go to an allergy doctor about this, but here is what else you need to know:

There is Ragweed Pollen

Ragweed pollen is a prevalent allergen in the fall. Starting late summer, ragweed season will continue in the fall and it causes symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Ragweed is an important cause of discomfort for a lot of people with hay fever, but it is mainly challenging for anyone who has allergic asthma. After getting exposed to ragweed, most of the time your chest will feel tighter. It will make breathing harder, and your respiratory system will suffer persistent irritation.

Air is Dryer in the Fall Season

While the days are shorter in the fall, the air will become drier and cooler. Even if this is a welcome change when it comes to comfort after the humid and hot summer, it is a factor that exacerbates asthma symptoms. Dry air will irritate your respiratory system, and it worsens COPD and asthma. Despite this effect is more common in the winter, it also adds to the reason why symptoms are worse in the fall.

Mold

Mold is a common allergen which is a specific problem in the fall and summer. One way to treat allergic asthma is to avoid allergens. Unfortunately, the damp leaves that fall from the trees will give the best conditions for mold to grow, and you have a very high exposure to allergens. According to studies, it has been found that links between mold sensitization and severe asthma attacks require you to be admitted to the hospital.

Leaf Cleanup

Leaf cleanup in the fall is a chore that the majority of households should face. If you suffer from asthma, though, leaf cleanup can be an issue. Most of the time, fallen leaves have mold that grows on them if they are not cleaned up right away, and the dry ones produce leaf dust. In both events, leaf cleanup worsens asthma symptoms. It is not helpful if you are living near someone who is burning leaves, like smoke and ash from fires which also triggers asthma attacks.

Fall is the Beginning of the Flue and Cold Season

When the flu and cold season starts, you are more prone to virus exposure because you will go out more. Even if you get exposed to some viruses, your asthma makes you more prone to developing asthma.

Allergies and viral infections work hand-in-hand to increase asthma symptoms. It is not surprising to learn that this one-two punch will happen during the fall shortly after the start of school. As a parent, you will be with your child more when they go to school. You will also notice a seasonal pattern where more people experience worse asthma symptoms from September through November with a respiratory infection and wheezing because of asthma. Airborne allergens cause hospitalization even more in the fall.

You can visit an allergist Germantown MD anytime before the fall to prepare yourself.

Tips on How to Use Your Inhaler More Efficiently

Humans develop habits throughout their lives. Most of the time, the same route should be taken to your office or you put your shoes in the same spot every day when you come home. Some of those habits are ingrained that they have become a routine such as drinking a cup of coffee or brushing their teeth. They have become a natural part of your daily rhythm that you feel like something is missing if you forget to stick to it.

For those who have asthma, making the inhaler a regular part of their routine goes a long way when it comes to maintaining good health. Your asthma doctor will be happy if you use the inhaler correctly.

Here are tips for you:

Start Small but Do it Right

A bad habit is the hardest break. Therefore, it is a good idea to remember that while you make the inhaler a regular part of your daily life, you should ask your doctor to make sure you are using it correctly. Keep in mind to always follow the instructions for the medicine and the ones given by your healthcare provider. For instance, you can learn how deeply and quickly you should inhale when you take medicine and while you hold your breath, helping you make sure that you are getting the best form of asthma treatment.

Use a Spacer

A spacer is an important device to make sure that the medicine goes where it needs to go, which is deep inside your lungs. When you seal your mouth around the spacer, you need to spray one puff and slowly and deeply inhale. You should hold your breath and count to 10, then slowly exhale. For young children who use a spacer, make sure the child is taking five to six full breaths.

Doing Two Habits at the Same Time

Combining the inhaler you use with another habit is similar to brushing your teeth is a way to make sure that you can get it done. Even in the morning when you rush out the door, you do not neglect taking care of your teeth, and when you connect two habits, you are less likely to forget to use the inhaler.

Take One Puff with Every Breath

If your doctor already prescribed a dosage of one puff or more, you need to take each one separately. Do not spray multiple puffs of the medicine into your spacer. It is because multiple puffs will not work for one breath.

It Should be Stored in a Safe Place

If you do not see an object all the time, there will come a time when you will forget about it. When you store your inhaler in a place where you can see it, like on top of a makeup table or a spot you can frequently access is going to serve as a reminder that it should be regularly used. It is also worth it to make sure that you need to store your device very well.

Replace Your Inhaler Before it Runs Out

A lot of inhalers have counters with canisters. You must keep an eye on the counter and replace it before the medicine runs out. You should not put the canister in water to check if it is empty because it does not work. Take your inhaler with you when you go to clinic appointments, so your doctor can make sure that you are using the inhaler correctly.

You can go to an allergy specialist doctor Germantown MD to ask if you are using your inhaler correctly to get the most out of it.