Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma, their possible causes and how to prevent them

Posted on October 14, 2008
Filed Under Health and Beauty, Information, Mother Earth | Viewed 504 times

Last month, I wrote about how “crazy weather becomes crazier and makes me sick even more”. It took weeks before the bouts of cough, colds and sniffles went away.

But with one of my daughters, her problem is different—she has allergic rhinitis and asthma, which she has been dealing with for a long time now, on and off. Her allergic rhinitis is perennial—it has always been there. She also has sinusitis every now and then, owing to a slight curvature in her septum, for which doctors have suggested an operation to correct it. These, she can live with.

It used to be that she would have a bout of asthma like four times a year only. Lately, her asthma has become a regular fare, especially when she is at home (she must be allergic to home, lol). In school she is ok, in the mall she is ok, but the moment she is home or she nears home, she coughs and whizzes, the nebulizer her life support. She becomes better when she is in our room, and I have offered her to move in, but she says she is able to study better in hers. We found a doctor, who enlightened us on the cause and management of asthma, and gave her a combination of medicines, plus ascorbic acid—he wants my daughter to eventually gear away from the nebulizer. She is much better now.

In addition to all other treatments of asthma, most important of all is TLC—tender loving care. I know! Asthma patients are very sensitive, as much as possible, they do not want any disturbance or movements in the room, but for sure, they want tender loving care, especially of a mother. Just be there, talk in calm loving soothing tone if you must, gently caress or massage the head, the back, the hands, relax—stress is contagious.

But take note, before the attack gets worse, consult a doctor. Asthma needs professional management.

I found out also that my observation about the weather change and its effects was true. It is not an old man’s tale, really. The weather changes so rapidly—hot and humid now, and in an instant torrents of rain, or long hot days then just all too suddenly the rains come a pouring. These extremes confuse the body, causing the respiratory system to act up and a lot of people—young and adults become sick. This is also particularly true when the air is dirty—but where can we find clean air in the city nowadays?

Here are some facts on what may cause allergies and asthma

On hot days, air pollution increases, together with its harmful effects on health, like allergies, difficulty in breathing, coughing, teary eyes, runny nose, etc.

While moisture accumulates in houses and buildings, because of the changes in precipitation patterns, mold growth increases, which causes asthma and allergic rhinitis.

There are certain harmful plants that grow and spread pollens in the atmosphere, causing asthma, allergic rhinitis and other allergies.

Humidity aids in the growth of dust mites that cause allergic symptoms like sneezing, coughing and itchy throat.

Here are some tips to prevent allergy and asthma triggers (Reference: All-Allergies.com)

Pay close attention to the circumstances surrounding your allergic reactions and/or your asthma attacks. Understanding and knowing what triggers these attacks is the first step to prevent and avoid future attacks.

Once you know what your allergy triggers are, avoid them! Also avoid common triggers such as smoke if you have asthma.

Check your local weather forecasts! They can provide you important, daily air quality and pollution reports as well as allergy and pollen count reports. Be prepared on days when these advisories are high by remembering to take your allergy and asthma medications and by staying indoors.

Choose the right environment for you. Use air quality and pollution reports as well as allergy and pollen count reports as a tool everywhere you go. For example, during high pollen season in the spring, spend time at low pollen areas such as the beach or ocean. Avoid areas that are generally known for having high pollen counts such as woodlands. If you are traveling, check general statistics for the area and chose a time of the year when allergy and pollen reports are at their lowest.

Clean your home!

Temperature and Humidity: hot, humid houses are breeding grounds for dust mites and mold. Try and keep your home below 75 degrees and humidity levels between 30-50%. Don’t forget to replace or clean filters in cleaning or cooling systems and in air conditioners and air purifiers.

Use an air purifier in your home, and don’t forget to change the filter.

Get rid of the dust in your home. Clean it with water as much as possible since that traps the dust so it can’t fly, keeping it out of your nose. To protect your mattress and pillows from dust mites, purchase dust mite-zippered encasings from your local department or bedding store.

Wash your laundry, especially bed linens in hot water with a temperature of 130 degrees or greater to reduce dust mites.

Don’t dry your laundry outside since pollen can easily deposit or accumulate in your belongings.

Don’t allow mold to grow in your home. Mold loves to grow in damp places, like your bathroom, so make sure these rooms are dry with plenty of ventilation. Or use a dehumidifier in these areas. Close doors or windows during hot weather and use air conditioning instead.

Avoid harsh, chemical cleaners, as these may trigger allergies and asthma. Many common surface sprays contain toxic and dangerous chemicals! Try and use natural or naturally derived non toxic cleaning products.

Vacuuming with a regular vacuum may make allergies and asthma worse by disturbing and blowing the dust particles in the air. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.

Control infestations. Insect and mouse residue is allergy triggering, so make cockroaches as unwelcome as possible – seal any cracks or entryways. Thoroughly vacuum carpeting and steam clean carpets regularly if possible, as wet wash hard surfaces.

If you are allergic to animal dander, you should keep your pets outdoors if possible, as much as possible. Or at least keep them out of your bedroom. Bathing your pet weekly, especially with a dander reducing or eliminating shampoo, will reduce dander accumulation and can reduce your exposure to allergens.

Keep pollen outside! Change your clothing after spending a lot of time outdoors.

Turn off the fan! Limit the use of window fans that can draw pollen rich into your home.

Take a bath or shower before bedtime! Bathe or shower before bedtime to wash off pollen and outdoor mold spores that build up on your hair and/or skin.

If you wear eye contacts, it’s not a good idea to wear them while you have red, swollen or itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) because the contacts may irritate and cause the conjunctivitis to become worse. Instead, wear your glasses until your eyes feel better.

Read your food labels! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers to list common food allergens on food labels in simple terms that adults and older children can understand. If you are allergic to any foods, avoid them! While all possible food allergens may not be listed, the top 8 are listed: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews and walnuts), Fish, Shellfish, Soy, and Wheat

If you eat our at restaurants often and have any food allergies make sure to double check that your allergens are not hidden in foods where you wouldn’t expect them. Inform your server of your known allergies.

Avoid insect stings and potential reactions to bug bites and bee stings. When you’re in a buggy area, wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes with socks. Use bug repellant and do not wear perfumes or sweet scented products that would invite over insects.

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Comments

9 Responses to “Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma, their possible causes and how to prevent them”

Mr Handsome (Check my Site) on October 14th, 2008 6:42 pm

I agree with one of the tips which is to clean our house and surroundings. That’s very basic I think yet most of us still fail to do that at times. I once had allergic rhinitis before and I really avoided several food to control it. Thanks to some medicines and clean surroundings. I’m so much better now.
Kyels on October 15th, 2008 1:41 am

The tips are useful and the part where we are supposed to take care and clean the surroundings are true too. Dusty areas can trigger asthma in a higher percentage.
ann on October 15th, 2008 7:12 pm

I tried everything tita dine, kaya lang pagdating ng sandstorm balik ang allergic rhinitis ko. Kaya masyado akong dependent sa zyrtec, yan lang ang nakapiran kong gamot.
jengrodriguez on October 16th, 2008 1:43 am

My son is also asthmatic. Before, he has asthma attacks every month, minsan twice a month pa. And it will last mga 4-5 days. Wala kaming nebulizer so salbutamol syrup kami dependent (my son is only 5 years old). His asthma started when he was 2.5 years old. Through some research, I discovered epsom salts (magnesium sulfate salts, usually sa Healthy Options kami bumibili) can help detox the body and decrease any inflammation. We soak him in water with epsom salt (2cups)and baking soda (1/4 cup) solution 2-3 times a week. Now he seldom has asthma attacks. Kung meron man, usually because of sudden change in weather or pag super alikabok nga dito sa amin (like nung may nag repair sa kalye namin, 1-2 days na lang nagla-last and we don’t need to give him medicine pa. We also discovered he is allergic to milk and wheat products. So we avoid those foods din. Now we are not anymore salbutamol-dependent.

For those reading this and has relatives who also is asthmatic, you might also want to try the epsom salt bath. It also helps relieve the body from stress and helps with constipation.

God bless us all!
Flor P. Velasco on October 16th, 2008 7:30 am

My son (18 yrs),my daughter (17 yrs) and my wife are also ashmatic…Only last month we encountered this “FERN-C The Super Vitamin C”...We were instructed to take this vit. c, 3 capsules a day and to our surprise for almost 3 weeks na, hindi na sila inaashma….they are not using their spray anymore….i hope this will help….
Aldrin Cantos on October 16th, 2008 5:20 pm

Is it possible I have asthma already? I feel mild pain on my lower back.
Soul on October 17th, 2008 9:06 am

Dine, my children are all asthmatic. One of my challenges right now is teaching my children, especially the ones going to school to be wary, attentive and read the labels of anything they ingest. I discourage them from eating anything without any proper labels and to avoid food that declare wheat (most deadly culprit of all), peanut and eggs. We have already cease eating chicken and other poultry products and chocolates. I only cook and prepare fresh fish (those without scales) and vegetables. It is indeed a challenge to weed out all the allergens in our house since bacteria and pollution is everywhere… We just have to teach our children to control and manage their allergies everyday.
julie on October 21st, 2008 6:44 pm

My son Julian has been drinking fresh lemon grass with oregano and honey ever night. So far so good
Lee on December 1st, 2008 9:47 pm

I have done some extensive research since suffering badly, currently now often with blocked up nose, etc.
Anyway humidity is the key it seems and not so much to plug my site as to let people know and help, having gone through and still it seems am in some way, unless it is a cold, but 8 days on I still have it, most unusual for more if so, anyway, to shed more light, saving all you out there having to do research, please, please see this excellent link, for which I’m happy to help and will more than provide people with answers and cures to what is going on and why we are suffering more than ever today.

http://www.4hurtingchristians.com/insulating_homes_causing_higher_humidity_making_you_sneeze_from_dust_mites_causing_asthma.html