Spring and Allergies: Tips to Remember

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Spring and AllergiesTips to Remember
News!!!

• Emilia Patricia T. Zarco, M.D. M.Ed.
• Associate Professor, Health Studies
• Adelphi University

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What is an allergy?

• An allergy is an exaggerated immune response or
  reaction to substances called allergens that are
  generally not harmful.

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What is Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis?

• Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms,
  predominantly in the nose and eyes, to allergens
  such as dust, dander and pollen.

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What is hay fever?

• When allergic rhinitis is caused by common
  outdoor allergen (airborne tree, grass and weed
  pollens or mold), it is called hay fever.

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What causes Allergic Rhinitis?
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What happens when a person has allergic rhinitis?
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, USA
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Signs and Symptoms

• sneezing
• stuffy nose
• runny nose
• itching in nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes
  and ear
• inflammation in the nasal lining makes the nose
  very sensitive to irritants such as
• smoke
• strong odors
• changes in the temperature and humidity of the
  air.

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What To Do

• Certified in
• Pediatrics or
• Internal Medicine and
• ABAI (American Board of Allergy and Immunology)

• An allergist/immunologist can help determine
  which specific allergens are triggering your
  illness.
• He or she will take a thorough health history,
  and then test use to determine if you have
  allergies.

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What diagnostic tests are done to test for
allergy?

• Skin prick or scratch test
• most common and reliable
• painless A small needle or plastic device is
  used to lightly prick or scratch your back or
  forearm with a tiny amount of allergen.
• After 15-20 minute, each spot is examined
• The spots where you are allergic will become red
  and swollen, and the others will remain normal.

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What diagnostic tests are done to test for
allergy?

• Intradermal test
• done when the skin prick or scratch test results
  are unclear
• involves injecting a small amount of allergen
  under the skin using a needle.
• allergy skin testing should only be performed in
  a medical setting, with access to emergency
  treatment because of risk of anaphylaxis

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What diagnostic tests are done to test for
allergy?

• Blood Test or RAST (radioallergosorbent) Test
• measures the levels of allergy antibody, IgE,
  produced when your blood is mixed with a series
  of allergens in a laboratory

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What diagnostic tests are done to test for
allergy?

• Challenge Test
• Done to confirm a food or drug allergy after a
  skin or blood test result is positive
• swallow a very small amount of the suspected
  allergen until a reaction is noted
• done in a clinical setting and are only performed
  when absolutely necessary due to risk of
  anaphylaxis

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How to prevent symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
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How to avoid pollen

• Remain indoors when the outdoor pollen levels are
  highest.
• Sunny, and windy days
• early morning
• late afternoon hours
• If persons with pollen allergy must work
  outdoors, wear a pollen and dust mask.

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How to avoid pollen

• Take vacations at the height of the expected
  pollinating period (seashore)
• Wash hair before going to bed
• Use a clothes dryer
• Use air cleaners.
• Airconditioners
• Air purifiers
• Air filtering devices

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How to avoid pollen

• Avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants
• Dust
• insect sprays
• tobacco smoke
• air pollution
• fresh tar or paint.

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How to avoid mold

• Do not walk through uncut fields or rake leaves
• Keep windows and doors closed and use air
  conditioning
• Clean moldy surfaces in the house
• Fix water leaks
• Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier to reduce
  indoor air humidity.

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How to avoid house dust mites

• Put mattresses, pillows and box springs in
  dust-proof casings
• Wash bedding weekly in water that is hotter than
  130º F
• Remove stuffed toys from bedrooms.

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How to avoid animal dander .

• Pets should not be kept in the house.
• If you have pets, keep them out of the bedroom
  and keep the bedroom door closed.
• Do not let pets sit on furniture.

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Questions????