Vanderbilt Allergist offers advice on the management of allergy to dust and dander with spring cleaning

by Paula Jones | Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 14.09 clock

There is a place for everything and everything in its place. As people across the country have this saying in action with spring cleaning at an allergist Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus and Allergy Program (ASAP) Clinic says it's important to remember that, as he put everything in its place , left many young women likely to increase dust and dander winter behind 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 Robert Valet , MD, 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 (AAAAI) estimates that up to 27 percent of Americans show sensitivity to dust mites. 's Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) states that up to 30 percent of Americans are allergic reactions to cats and dogs. 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 the similar in construction and carpentry cleaning, the mask can found in many home improvement stores and protection are used, most are aware, N-95;
• Vacuum dust from your carpets, upholstered furniture and your bedroom once or twice a week the furniture;
• After vacuuming, let the dust settle for 15 minutes, then dust hard surfaces;
• Buying dust mite bedding covers are allergen-proof woven normally cover in shops and pharmacies in their pillows and mattresses that contains mites available;
• Buy HEPA air filters that help to reduce spread of dust throughout the house;
• Wash bedding in hot, such as dust mites can not survive high temperatures, drying and high temperature water.

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 pet out of the room where people usually have more time at home;
• Keep the animal in upholstered furniture;
• The fact that someone who is not allergic to pet brush the pet outside a few times a week, try to remove excess dandruff;
• Baden pets weekly;
• Vacuum regularly;
• Carpet removal, trapping animal 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.

Contact:
Paula Jones, (615) 322-4747
paula.jones @ vanderbilt.edu

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