Learning about allergies and irritants

Because I recently had allergy testing done and started immunotherapy, I was interested in hearing the program for the June 27 Healthy Woman Ladies Night Out, “Controlling Allergies & Asthma” and “Healthier Cleaning for a Healthier You.”

Dr. Ali Parsaeian, a local family medicine practitioner, gave a power point presentation that focused on asthma, but from the information my allergist gave me, applies just as well for allergies in general. While asthma is a chronic lung condition characterized by inflammation, constriction of airways and difficulty breathing, many allergy sufferers have similar symptoms with our sinuses that are caused by the same triggers.

Indoor allergens that trigger reactions in our bodies include dust mites, mold, animal dander, and cockroaches. Avoiding or limiting exposure to those triggers is obviously the best way to manage our symptoms whether we have asthma, allergies, or both. Through past experience, I already knew that dust and mold give me headaches and breathing issues. (I just didn’t know that I am allergic to two kinds of dust mites and five different molds.)

Beyond regular dusting and vacuuming, Dr. Parsaeian recommended special measures in the bedroom to reduce allergens in the room we spend most of our time. Those include encasing both the mattress and the boxspring in special cases as a barrier to the dust mites; these cases are like huge pillow cases, with zippers, made of material the mites cannot penetrate. I put them on my pillows besides one on my mattress and I have another one ready for my box spring when I am ready to wrestle with it.

Regular washing of bedding and pillows in hot water is also important, as is minimizing the number of stuffed animals on beds. They should also be washed weekly.

While water is good for washing away some allergens, moisture and dampness can encourage mold growth and enable cockroaches to thrive. Because of this, any standing water should be removed from your home along with house plants. Old books and newspapers, along with clothing and bedding you no longer use, should not be stored in the house. Leaky plumbing should be fixed right away and any water damaged carpets should be taken out before mold can develop.

To eliminate mold, cleaning instructions for bathrooms include using one ounce of bleach in one quart of water to clean sinks and tubs at least every four weeks. Animal dander on the other hand is not as easy to get rid of if you have pets in your home. Allergens can be found in the dander which is dead skin cells or scales, also in the saliva and urine of cats and dogs. Dr. Parsaeian said that rodents, birds and ferrets can also trigger asthma.

For anyone with allergies or asthma who wants pets, animals that do not produce allergens include reptiles, lizards, turtles and fish.

Other irritants that sensitive people, especially those with asthma, should be aware of are cigarette smoke, air filters that produce ozone, chlorine and bleach products, industrial chemicals, and food additives like sulfites as well as perfumes and air deodorizers.

It was interesting to hear that hormones are a trigger of asthma attacks. The doctor said that 20 to 40 percent of women with asthma report their symptoms worsening just before or during their period. He also said that while strenuous exercise can cause problems for asthmatics, moderate exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system which generally helps lessen the risks of asthma attacks when they do occur.

Since everyone is sensitive to different allergens, it is important to consult your doctor if you think you have any allergies or if you need help treating them. I found out that I am also allergic to two kinds of weeds (including sage mix which grows year-round in our area) and four kinds of trees that also grow here. Besides medications, immunotherapy can be used to treat allergies with shots that build up your immunity to substances that cause your allergic reactions.

Continuing the theme of environmental irritants, Carolyn Follis on Natural Concepts/Shaklee presented “The real dirt on clean.” She said that the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) reported that air pollution is two to five times higher inside than outside the home and that an EPA survey showed that people spend 90 percent of their time indoors. Putting those two figures together makes it not surprising that 20 million Americans suffer from asthma including one of every 13 school-age children.

Follis said that according to the EPA, the average home generates 20 pounds of hazardous waste a year. Products inside the home that are not healthy include cleaners for ovens, drains, toilets, tubs and tiles, wood and metals, as well as polishes and bleaches. Some of their harmful ingredients are hydrochloric acid, lye, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. All are irritants that can damage your eyes, mouth, skin and throat.

She also said that 90 percent of poison exposures occur at home and that common chlorine bleach is involved in most cases. So, we should all look for natural, non-toxic and biodegradable products that won’t pollute our water, irritate our skin, or cause allergic reactions. She passed out samples of one of her company’s natural cleaning products for all the ladies to try at home.

Fallbrook Hospital was the host of the Ladies Night Out event in the Fallbrook Library community room, and hospital chef Stephen Spencer provided healthy dinner salads while the program’s sponsors donated prizes for a raffle. Each lady attending was given one ticket upon arrival. Those that brought food for the Fallbrook Food Pantry received another ticket. Extra tickets could be bought for one dollar each, with proceeds going to the pantry. Tickets at future events are now being placed in individual bags for specific prizes rather than in one big random drawing.

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