Allergist offers advice on managing allergies from dust, dander with spring cleaning

There is a place for everything and everything in its place.

There is a place for everything and everything in its place.

As people across the country have this saying in action with spring cleaning, an allergist at Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Clinic program says it's important to remember that if everything many maids are brought into position likely leave dust and dander winter to raise - and both can provide significant problems for people with allergies.

"The mites and pet dander allergies are two of the most common problems we see in our clinic," said Dr. Robert Jack, assistant professor of medicine. "Although usually not serious reactions, we can see in those allergic to bee stings, foods, or latex, which still lead to a lot of trouble for those who are Allergy-Free."

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that 27 percent of Americans show sensitivity to dust mites. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America rating up to 30 percent of Americans are allergic to cats and dogs reactions. In addition, cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies that nearly 10 million pet owners in the United States

A dust mite allergy is caused by a very small and barely visible translucent harmful to the human eye. They prefer warm, humid climate and tend to be located in mattresses, upholstered furniture, beds and carpets, where the exposure of humans to insects occurs regularly.

Valet said mites feed primarily on dead skin of animals and human cells. In fact, he says, it is estimated that human skin cells get enough in a day to 1 million dust mites feed. The mite, the food digests and feces contain proteins that are trapped in the dust. These are the main allergens that cause symptoms.

However, such parking dander, pet of proteins in the dander, urine and saliva are caused. Jack notes that dogs naturally have no hair are sometimes referred to as hypoallergenic; this is a mistake, because even if there is no hair hanging scales, nor shed skin contains the allergen paid. Because there is great variability between cats and dogs, even within a breed, thought the choice of a race, hypoallergenic does not mean that the animal is not particularly high levels of allergens.

While they have the same underlying causes, people with allergies to dust mites and pet dander tend to have similar symptoms. Jack said that the most common reactions are red, itchy eyes, watery; Sneezing; Cough; Congestion; and runny nose, nasal itching. In some cases, patients may also experience skin rashes like eczema or urticaria. Jack points out that the exposure both pet dander and dust mite allergens in dust may aggravate the symptoms of asthma patients, sometimes leading to severe asthma attacks.

Allergies to dust mites and pet allergies are treatable, says parking. For those who suffer from allergies to dust mites, focus primarily on treatment strategies limiting exposure to dust. Valet recommends:

• Use similar to those in the mask construction and carpentry used for cleaning - these can be found in many hardware stores and protection, most of the note N-95.

• Vacuum dust from the carpet, upholstery and your bedroom once or twice a week.

• After vacuuming, let the dust settle for 15 minutes, then dust hard surfaces.

• Dust mites purchase includes bed linen - the woven allergen-proof covers usually in shops and pharmacies in their pillows and mattresses that contains mites available.

• The purchase of HEPA air filters that help to reduce spread of dust throughout the house.

• Wash bedding in hot water such as dust mites can not survive high temperatures and drying at high temperatures, too.

Treatments for allergies include animal hair prevention. Jack notes that the best way is to avoid an allergic reaction to animal dander, avoid pets. However, if there is an animal in the house, it is proposed:

• Keep the animal out of the room where people usually spend more time at home.

• Keep the animal in upholstered furniture.

• Someone who is not allergic to pet brush the pet outside a few times a week to try to remove excess dandruff.

• Bathroom weekly fee.

• Vacuum regularly.

• Remove carpets that trap pet hair.

• Try over-the-counter antihistamines and other allergy medications.

"Animals and dust can be important triggers for allergies and asthma patients, although most often cause relatively mild symptoms, if they are serious, it is important to come to see an allergist," Jack said. "An allergist can allergy tests to perform, so the doctor to find the specific allergen that is causing the symptoms. Then, a treatment, perhaps in a pharmacy as administering injections without prescription create be available allergy, a patient to a particular allergen "desensitize.

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