"Why are my allergy symptoms worse than ever before?"

Many people are experiencing severe allergy symptoms right now and many of them are asking "why are my symptoms more severe than ever before?"

The answer may be due to the "priming effect".

The "priming effect" is an increased sensitivity of the lining of the nose that occurs with repeated exposure to allergens like pollen.

With the hot weather occurring earlier in the year this year and sticking around longer than usual, there has been more pollen in the air (plants produce more pollen in hotter weather).

This has meant a longer allergy season and a therefore a more vigorous "priming effect" that has become stronger and stronger as the different seasons have progressed.

 

So a person doesn't need to be exposed to as much pollen to have symptoms of hay fever (also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis). These symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, scratchy throat, watery/itchy eyes and even fatigue. All of these can greatly affect quality of life and can lead to complications like sinus infections and asthma flares.

 

People who've never had seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms before may experience them for the first time. Others who could control these symptoms with over the counter medications like antihistamines now need additional medication to help symptoms.

We are currently in the fall allergy season where weeds and molds are the main culprits that cause symptoms. Elm tree pollen is also important here in So Cal this time of year. The "priming effect" can also cause patients to be more sensitive to other allergens like dust mites and animal dander.

The most important thing for patients to know is: don't ignore your symptoms! If allergen avoidance and over the counter medications are not enough, go see an allergist to discuss other options and to develop a treatment plan that is right for you!

For more information, please visit: www.southbayallergy.com

Unexpected Allergy Source: Pet Hangouts

Pet allergies are common, but your pet's fur is not the only allergen. The real problem is proteins found in pet saliva, urine, and dander -- dead skin cells that become airborne and settle on carpets, furniture, and bedding. Pet hair can still be to blame because it can collect dander and other allergens like dust and pollen.

Keeping your pet out of your bedroom is only partially helpful, because airflow can carry pet allergens throughout the home.

Tips:

• Clean and damp-mop (or "Swiffer") floors frequently
• Keep pets off carpeting
• Wash your hands after playing with your pet
• Wash your dog or cat every week or two
• Wash your pet's bedding frequently 
• Keep pet-hair contaminated clothes out of your bedroom and off your bed!

Puppy Love Tied Up in a Bow

Nothing is sweeter than a puppy, except perhaps one with a Christmas bow on her head. But is it a present that will make somebody at home sick?  Things to think about:

Family member with furry pet allergies? Not a great idea to have an indoor dog, even if it is supposed to be "hypoallergenic".  All dogs share certain proteins in their dander that can trigger allergies.

Family member with pollen or mold allergy?   An indoor dog that doesn't roll around on the grass or chase squirrels through the leaves might be better.   But it's still best to keep the dog out of the bedrooms, to minimize the likelihood of developing a new allergy to dog dander.

Allergic to dust mites? All dogs shed dander. One flake feeds an entire dust mite family. 

But then, plenty of allergists and veterinarians have asthma and furry pet allergies. How do they do it? They use immunotherapy (allergy shots) to improve their tolerance, and a host of environmental management techniques.

Here's a few to consider before you buy a puppy this Christmas:

• Frequent grooming - a clean coat harbors fewer pollen and mold spores. 


• Flea and tick prevention - Use products recommended by your veterinarian.  Avoid powders or sprays or chemical bombs that can irritate the airways.


• Out of the bedroom -  Unless you are disciplined enough to train the new puppy to stay outside the bedroom and provide positive reinforcement for good behavior, you are inviting trouble.

• Clean the house daily - Dogs increase the cleaning work load. Use a HEPA vacuum daily, dust with microfiber cloth (but don't use dust sprays) and make sure puppy accidents are cleaned and neutralized immediately. 

• Diet - Read the label. You don't want your dog eating any food that contains an ingredient your child may be allergic to. Otherwise, the first kiss after dinner might lead to a hospital visit.

Want to know more about building a tolerance to your pets with allergy shots?  See if you might be a candidate, by coming in for an allergy evaluation.  

Source:  Allergy & Asthma Today. Volume 9, Issue 4. Winter 2011

I'm allergic to animals, what can I do?

1. Cats: This antigen is the most potent known: a cat can walk through a carpeted home once, and antigen from the cat can be found in the carpet 5 years later.

2. Dogs: Yes, you can be more symptomatic around one dog than another; this could be due to allergy to multiple dog allergens in the pelts and hair of certain species of dogs. There is no such thing as a "hypoallergenic dog;" it is not worse to have a longhaired dog than a shorthaired one from an allergy standpoint.

3. Hampsters, Rats, Mice, etc: While we do not test specifically for these, the tendency to develop additional hypersensitivites to furry animals is high if there is alerady a known allergy to another type of animal. We do not recommend any indoor furry animals for patients with allergic tendencies.

4. Reptiles: While certainly not as problematic to most people with allergies, it is possible to become sensitized to the urine, saliva, or dander of any animal. Repeated scratches from the animal, or direct contact with the skin, speeds the sensitization process.

5. Fish: No problem as long as the tank is kept clean and mold-free. We worry about fish bowls (unfiltered water), which tend to get moldy and need frequent water changes. The bedroom is not a good place for the fish.

6. Horses: Lots of these animals are in RPV, RHE and RH. Many allergic people as well; degree of severity symptoms is variable. No allergy shots are available for this at this time (no literature to support efficacy of immunotherapy for horse). Avoidance, bathing after contact, and preventative medications for usual symptoms are recommended.

Treatment:

• Keep animals out of the house if serious allergy; if milder, just keeping them out of the bedroom may suffice.
• Wash animals weekly if possible to reduce antigen exposure
• Spray with "Allerpet-C (cat), -D (dog), or -B (bird)," "Allerpet Wipes," or similar product to reduce exposure to allergen from dander.
• Never sleep with an animal on the bed if there is a positive skin test reaction to it, even if symptoms are minimal at this time. It is likely that symptoms will worsen with continued exposure.
• Use a HEPA air filter.
  

Is there really a hypoallergenic dog?

Unfortunately, no -- all dogs can trigger allergic symptoms in a sensitized person.  However, there may be other things one can do to limit the amount of exposure in homes with pets.

What influences the amount of dog allergen in homes?  It seems obvious that there would be more dog allergen in a bedroom if pets are allowed in the room, and there would be even less dog allergen in the home if pets are kept outdoors or there are no pets at all.  However, does the type of coat make any difference?  How much the dog sheds?  How many dogs are in the home? How long the family has had the pet?  How many hours the dog spends in the home?  The size of the dog?  Whether the pet is altered (spayed or neutered)?

As it turns out, the type of dog coat, amount of shedding, and number of dogs in the home make no difference in the amount of dog allergen in the home.   However, the amount of time there are dogs in the house does correlate with dog allergen levels in the home, and the larger the dog, the higher the allergen levels.  For unknown reasons, spayed or neutered dogs seemed to release more allergen than unaltered dogs.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010;105(3):228-33.  Nicholas C, Wegienka G, Havstad S, Zoratti E, Ownby D, Johnson CC.  Dog characteristics and allergen levels in the home.