Allergies

Antihistamines, decongestants, bronchodilators, etc., are useful in the treatment of allergy, asthma, and other allergic disorders. It is best to start medication at the first sign of your symptoms, rather than waiting until the symptoms are severe and more difficult to control. Thereafter, medications should be taken regularly, as prescribed, as long as your symptoms persist. If new or unusual symptoms occur, consult your physician.

The purpose of immunizing injections is to make one less sensitive to unavoidable inhaled substances such as pollens, dust, and/or mold spores. These injections offer the only means by which the degree of sensitivity can be, in time, diminished. This therapy consists of injections. In most cases, the treated patient gains a resistance to the allergens, so that allergic symptoms are decreased or eliminated. The duration of extract injections depends largely on your progress. Generally, it is advisable to continue the injections for a minimum of three to five years, and go through six to twelve months essentially free of symptoms before stopping injections. Initially, allergy injections should be given twice weekly (unless otherwise indicated) for approximately three and one half (3 1/2) months. After this, they may be given every one to four weeks as determined by the benefit you receive from the injections.

● Molds are found outside in the air, in fallen leaves, cut grass, compost piles, rotting wood, barns, mulch, and in most areas that do not see much sun. Indoor molds can be found thriving in dark, warm, humid areas, including bathroom walls, shower stalls, tile grout, pillows, mattresses, under carpeting, unwashed clothes, refrigerators, air conditioners, humidifiers, plant soil, concrete, garbage cans, and damp basements.● Reduce the humidity level in your home to below 50% by using your air conditioner or adehumidifier. Humidity gauges may be purchased at home improvement stores.● Most surfaces can be cleaned using a 10% bleach solution that will kill mold and inhibit growth temporarily. There are some non-bleached formulas that may be purchased. There are also mold inhibitor products that may be purchased from companies in our allergy information packet that we provide.● Steam cleaning carpet is not recommended. Moisture may be trapped in the carpet padding and will create a haven for mold growth.● Wear a mask when mowing the lawn, raking leaves, gardening, or working in damp basements.● Do not hang clothes outdoors, as this will attract airborne mold spores.● Moist soil in houseplants can grow mold. You can prevent the mold spores from becoming airborne by placing a 2-inch layer of pebbles or small stones over the top of the soil.● Do not use a humidifier unless your humidity is below 25%.● It is recommended that you change your pillow once a year. Buy pillows that resist mold growth such as polyester filled pillows. Foam rubber pillows are not recommended.● There are some foods that may cause increased symptoms in mold sensitive persons. These are listed in information packets that are given to patients after the skin tests are completed. Patients do not have to avoid these foods entirely. They just need to be familiar with these foods and avoid them when they are having increased allergy symptoms. They may be able to tolerate these foods in moderation.

● The most effective treatment for alleviating pet allergies is, of course, finding another home for the pet. Some people are not willing to part with their pets even if they are allergic. We therefore provide information to help decrease allergen exposure as follows.● Keep your pet out of your bedroom and off of the furniture.● Remove carpeting or spray with a denaturing solution to deactivate pet allergies.● Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Pet allergens can pass through standard vacuum cleaner bags.● Use efficient vent and furnace filters to prevent allergens from being circulated through the duct system.● Use of air cleaners can help filter some of the pet allergens from the air.● “Swiffer” brooms are good for cleaning up pet allergens from floors, and the cloths can be used for dusting furniture.
Allergies can be the underlying cause of frequent sinus, ear, and upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Untreated allergies can even exacerbate or cause asthma; The Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states “approximately 80 percent of all asthma in children and half of all asthma in adults are caused by allergies.”