Get Out and Play: Don’t Let Asthma and Allergies Get You Down. 

With 50 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergies and 20 million from asthma, chances are you or someone in your family may be one of them. You don’t have to lock yourself indoors when you know how to minimize your risk of serious reactions. 

Asthma If you have asthma, the tube that carries air to and from your lungs can become inflamed. When that happens, mucous builds up and narrows the airflow. To prevent this inflammation, your doctor may prescribe a medicine. You can help by avoiding your personal asthma triggers, which vary for different people. These triggers are often allergens like cat hair, mold, or deposits left by dust mites.  Once your airway becomes inflamed, other irritants — like cold air and tobacco smoke — can make the inflamed muscles contract in spasms. This is an asthma attack. Untreated asthma can be dangerous — even fatal. So be sure to follow your doctor’s advice.  Here are a few ways to reduce your exposure to asthma triggers and irritants:

Learn More about Food Allergies and Bee Stings Bee stings and food allergens can be life threatening to some people. Reactions can begin in minutes. Your doctor may have you keep an allergy kit on hand at all times for a dose of epinephrine when needed. This drug works to reverse the symptoms of these types of allergies. Families should learn as much as they can about prevention and treatment for bee stings and food allergies. And be prepared whenever you’re on the go.

• Keep a clean home. Bathe your pets and keep them out of your bedroom. Wash bedding frequently. Vacuum often. Use disinfectants to clean places where molds grow, like around air conditioners, dehumidifiers and refrigerators.
• Staying active is important to overall health, so talk with your doctor about exercising safely with asthma.
• Don’t smoke, and avoid areas where other people smoke.
• When it’s cold outside, wear a mask or wrap a scarf over your mouth and nose. Breathe through your nose. 

Allergies

When your immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance, it indicates that you have an allergy. Allergic reactions often come in the form of sneezing and rashes — even headaches. Some allergens, like bee stings and certain foods, can be dangerous to highly sensitive people. The good news is that allergies can be treated with medicines. Learn what your triggers are, and avoid them. And follow your doctor’s advice. 

Here are ways to limit allergens from getting to you:

• Keep your windows closed, and use air conditioners in your home and your car.
• Reserve outside time for when pollen is low. That’s usually before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Don’t hang laundry outside. Shower before going to bed to remove pollen.
• Brush your dog or cat after he or she has been outside.
• If you have a food allergy, read food labels carefully. In restaurants, find out the ingredients of each dish before ordering.

Sources:
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2006, www.aafa.org.
Aetna InteliHealth^® website, 2008, www.intelihealth.com.
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, 2008, www.foodallergy.org.