What To Do If You Have An Allergic Reaction To Your House
This is one of the most common causes of allergic reactions and is even known to trigger asthma attacks. Room sprays are unnecessary if you keep your house clean, dont smoke indoors and open your windows regularly.
You can develop allergies at any time during your life. Some may be mild and depend on seasonal variations in how much of that allergen is in the air. Others may be severe or life threatening.
When allergies typically develop Most people remember first getting allergy symptoms at a young age about 1 in 5 kids have some kind of allergy or asthma. Many people outgrow their allergies by their 20s and 30s, as they become tolerant to their allergens, especially food allergens such as milk, eggs, and grains.
How Is Aspergillosis Treated
Treatment options include oral corticosteroids, antifungal medications, and surgery.
- Oral corticosteroid drugs: Solid or liquid oral medications may be prescribed to treat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These drugs reduce inflammation and prevent respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, from getting worse. Some of the most commonly used drugs are prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone.
- Antifungal drugs: These medications are generally used to treat invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole is currently the drug of choice because it causes fewer side effects and appears to be more effective than other medications. Amphotericin B or itraconazole are also effective in treating infection. Caspofungin is sometimes used in cases where the infection is resistant to the other antifungals. Antifungal drugs are sometimes used along with oral corticosteroids when treating ABPA. Antifungals can cause serious side effects, such as kidney and liver damage.
- Surgery: Surgery may be necessary in cases when aspergillomas are present and cause serious problems, such as excessive bleeding. Antifungal medications are usually not effective against aspergillomas, so surgery is recommended. Embolization may be an option to block blood flow to the artery supplying blood to the lung cavity where the fungus ball is located. This will stop the bleeding, but it may recur later.
Who Is At Risk For Mold Toxicity
While anyone can become ill from exposure to mold and its mycotoxins, some are more susceptible than others.
People who already have allergies or asthma can be more severely affected by mold toxicity than those who do not have allergies.
Also, people who are already ill, have immune suppression, or who have respiratory illnesses are more likely to have noticeable and intense symptoms resulting from mold exposure.
Symptoms of mold toxicity are relatively persistent and should not be ignored.
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Treatments To Help Allergies And Asthma
Most treatments target either asthma or allergies. Some methods specifically treat symptoms related to allergic asthma.
- Montelukast is a medication primarily prescribed for asthma that can help with both allergy and asthma symptoms. Its taken as a daily pill and helps to control your bodys immune reaction.
- Allergy shots work by introducing small amounts of the allergen into your body. This allows your immune system to build up tolerance. This approach is also called immunotherapy. It usually requires a series of regular injections over several years. The optimal number of years has not been determined, but most people receive injections for at least three years.
- Anti-immunoglobulin E immunotherapy targets the chemical signals that cause the allergic reaction in the first place. Its usually only recommended for people with moderate to severe persistent asthma, for whom standard therapy has not worked. An example of anti-IgE therapy is omalizumab .
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How Can I Prevent An Allergic Reaction To Mold
There is no cure for allergies. But you can reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with the mold spores. Several measures will help:
Reduce Your Exposure to Mold Spores Outside
- Limit your outdoor activities when mold counts are high. This will lessen the amount of mold spores you inhale and your symptoms.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting grass, digging around plants, picking up leaves and disturbing other plant materials.
Reduce Your Exposure to Mold Spores Inside
- Use central air conditioning with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter attachment. This can help trap mold spores from your entire home. Freestanding air cleaners only filter air in a limited area. Avoid devices that treat air with heat, electrostatic ions or ozone.
- Lower your indoor humidity. No air cleaners will help if excess moisture remains. If indoor humidity is above 50%, fungi will thrive. A hygrometer is a tool used to measure humidity. The goal is to keep humidity below 45%, but below 35% is better. If you have to use a humidifier, clean the fluid reservoir at least twice a week to prevent mold growth. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also be a source of mold.
- Prevent mold and mildew build up inside the home. Pay close attention to mold in bathrooms, basements and laundry areas. Be aggressive about reducing dampness.
To Reduce Mold in Your Bathrooms:
To Reduce Mold in Your Kitchen:
To Reduce Mold in Your Laundry Area:
To Reduce Mold in Your Bedrooms:
To Reduce Mold in Your Basement:
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What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma In Teenage Girl
Symptoms of asthma may include:
- Wheezing, which is a whistling noise of varying loudness that occurs when the airways of the lungs narrow.
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath, which is rapid, shallow breathing, or difficulty breathing.
- Sleep disturbance because of coughing or having a hard time breathing.
How Do You Monitor Asthma Symptoms
Monitoring your asthma symptoms is an essential piece of managing the disease. Your healthcare provider may have you use a peak flow meter. This device measures how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It can help your provider make adjustments to your medication. It also tells you if your symptoms are getting worse.
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How Is The Condition Diagnosed
To diagnose asthma, your physician will question you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and conduct lung function tests. You also may be tested for allergies.
Your internist or family physician may refer you to an allergist or pulmonologist for specialized testing or treatment.
After middle age, most adults experience a decrease in their lung capacity. These changes in lung function may lead some physicians to overlook asthma as a possible diagnosis.
Untreated asthma can contribute to even greater permanent loss of lung function. If you have any asthma symptoms, dont ignore them, and dont try to treat them yourself. Get a definitive diagnosis from your health care provider.
What Does Black Mold Exposure Treatment Look Like
Just like the diagnosis, the treatment of mold exposure differs from doctor to doctor. One thing most doctors will advise you to do is to test for and, if needed, remove any unhealthy mold conditions from your home. Even if the treatment will help in the short-term, it wont be effective over the long-term if your indoor environment isnt improved.
To treat the symptoms, doctors may suggest:
- Over-the-counter medication. Medicine that would decrease the airway inflammation and suppress the allergic reactions.
- Nasal sprays to deal with a runny or stuffy nose or rinses to clear your nasal passages from inhaled mold spores.
- Regular allergy medicine
A persons immune system has to be working properly to fight mold symptoms, so changes in a lifestyle or diet might be necessary. In more severe cases of allergies, doctors prescribe immunotherapy to provide relief from symptoms
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What Does The Research Say About Smoking Weed For Asthma
At first glance, smoking weed and asthma may not seem like a good match. But in recent years, the use of medical marijuana has gained more acceptance. Some of the chemical compounds in marijuana have been found to have therapeutic benefits. For example, it has been found to decrease pain, anxiety, and nausea.
Research is mixed on whether the possible benefits of cannabis for people with asthma outweigh the risks. It does appear that potential benefits may depend on the way cannabis is used and how often. For instance, research published in the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy indicated that marijuana may have a bronchodilator effect, opening the airways.
Additional research published in Nature, also indicated the same results and found the chemicals in marijuana may have a potent dilating effect on the airways, which could ease asthma symptoms. But the same research also found that some people with asthma may experience increased bronchospasm when smoking weed for asthma, which could make symptoms worse.
As expected, men that smoked cigarettes had decreased lung function. The study also indicated that moderate marijuana users slightly improved their lung function test. The study did caution that the potential effects of heavy use on lung function are less clear, but findings suggest it may cause a decline in lung function.
What To Expect From Your Doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:
- Exactly what are your symptoms?
- What seems to trigger symptoms or worsen them?
- Are your symptoms worse during certain times of the year or certain times of the day?
- Do your symptoms flare up when you’re in certain locations, such as outdoors or in your basement?
- What other health problems do you have?
- Do other members of your family have allergies? What kinds?
- Are you exposed to mold, dust, fumes or chemicals at work?
- Do you know if you have mold in your home?
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Mold Should Be Removed
Mold is everywhere outside, Green said, and shots can help those who are allergic to mold at those levels. But if you see it in your home, she said, it needs to be addressed.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people with weakened immune systems such as those receiving cancer treatments or who have had organ or stem cell transplants are more likely to be sickened by mold. Exposure to large amounts of mold at once without proper protection for example, farmers working around moldy hay also increases the risk of illness, the CDC said. In serious cases, mold can infect the lungs.
Theres a lot of fear and anxiety about black or toxic mold, Green said, but the extent of its danger is controversial. Studies havent backed up claims of it causing severe, unusual symptoms like neurological problems and bleeding in the lungs, she said, though it can cause the same problems exposure to all mold does.
Theres no consensus on how many species of mold exist. Estimates range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Among the most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus, the CDC said.
But the CDC doesnt recommend routine sampling for molds, since any mold growing indoors is potentially a health risk for someone with allergies or asthma. In addition, the CDC said, standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established.
How To Deal With Allergies After Moving
Developing allergies after moving can cause you serious problems and prevent you from enjoying your new life you need to find a way to cope with them, so you dont start regretting moving to your new place.
Here are some tips on how to prevent new house allergies, what to do if you develop new allergies after relocating, and how to manage allergies when moving:
If nothing helps, however, and your post-relocation allergies are so severe that theyre ruining your new life, you may have no choice but to move again to a new house or to a new area where dust, mold, pollen, pollution, and other allergens wont be an issue. Just make sure you use professional moving services, so the stress and hassle of moving do not once again aggravate your allergies.
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What Makes A Dog At Risk For Asthma
Dogs at Risk for Asthma. Chronic allergic bronchitis is most common in small dog breeds, although large breed dogs are susceptible, too. Dogs surrounded by the following allergens are also at risk: Tobacco, fireplace, or wood stove smoke. Perfume. Air fresheners. Household cleaners. Pesticides or fertilizer.
Signs of mold inhalation in your dog include: Respiratory distress Nasal discharge. Coughing, wheezing, sneezing. Lethargy. Bleeding from the mouth and/or nose.
What Happens When You Breathe In Mold Spores
If a human is allergic to mold, the reaction may be extra intense. It can exhibit itself as a respiratory reaction or on the skin. Because people with allergic reactions are more sensitive, it is essential to reduce contact with moldy areas or contaminated air as lengthy exposure can lead to more extreme problems.
The human framework is intended to respond when unfamiliar pollutants enter the body. This is actually what can happen when you take in spores.
Individuals who are asthmatic or hypersensitive to mold might encounter a more serious illness than people who are not. But anybody can encounter hostile side effects after an excess of exposure to mold.
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How Does Mold Exposure Affect Asthma And Existing Allergies
Once you have an allergic reaction to mold, no matter how mild, you may become sensitized to mold spores as an allergen. Long-term exposure to mold may cause mold-related allergy and asthma symptoms to become worse over time. Exposure to mold or dampness may even cause people to develop asthma, according to the CDC.
Mold exposure is a known asthma trigger and may cause inflammation and tightness in the respiratory system as well as mucus in the airways. If you have asthma and a mold allergy, you may notice that exposure to mold spores may trigger asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing. In more severe cases, exposure to mold spores may cause an asthma attack.
When Do People Usually Outgrow Their Allergies
When allergies typically develop Most people remember first getting allergy symptoms at a young age about 1 in 5 kids have some kind of allergy or asthma. Many people outgrow their allergies by their 20s and 30s, as they become tolerant to their allergens, especially food allergens such as milk, eggs, and grains.
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How Can You Tell If You Have Asthma
It can be hard to tell if someone has asthma, especially in children under age 5. Having a doctor check how well your lungs work and check for allergies can help you find out if you have asthma.
During a checkup, a doctor will ask if you cough a lot, especially at night. He or she will also ask whether your breathing problems are worse after physical activity or at certain times of year. The doctor will then ask about chest tightness, wheezing, and colds lasting more than 10 days. He or she will ask whether anyone in your family has or has had asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems. Finally, the doctor will ask questions about your home and whether you have missed school or work or have trouble doing certain things.
The doctor may also do a breathing test, called spirometry, to find out how well your lungs are working by testing how much air you can breathe out after taking a very deep breath before and after you use asthma medicine.
Can You Develop Asthma As An Adult
Even if you dont have asthma as a child, its possible to develop symptoms later on in life. While weve discussed common risk factors for developing asthma, the factors for developing adult-onset asthma vary slightly. Researchers havent firmly identified why certain individuals develop asthma as adults, but they have determined some factors that may be linked.
About 16% of adult-onset asthma cases are caused by occupational exposures and at least 30% of adult-onset cases are caused by allergies. Allergens that are especially likely to trigger asthma symptoms in adults after prolonged exposure include:
- Chemicals
- Shortness of breath after physical activity
- Delayed recovery from respiratory infections such as a cold or flu
Most children with asthma will start showing symptoms by the age of five, but its important to know that symptoms resembling asthma may appear in children even if they dont actually have it. This is because children have much smaller airways compared to adults, meaning regular mucus build-up may clog airways leading to asthma-like symptoms.
If you or your child experiences these symptoms on a regular basis, consult a physician who will perform a series of breathing tests to determine if the affected person has asthma.
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Whats An Asthma Attack
When you breathe normally, muscles around your airways are relaxed, letting air move easily. During an asthma attack, three things can happen:
- Bronchospasm: The muscles around the airways constrict . When they tighten, it makes the airways narrow. Air cannot flow freely through constricted airways.
- Inflammation: The airway linings become swollen. Swollen airways dont let as much air in or out of the lungs.
- Mucus production: During the attack, your body creates more mucus. This thick mucus clogs airways.
How Can Adult Onset Asthma Be Managed
If you manage your asthma, you can expect to lead a normal lifestyle. Basically, there are four key steps to managing asthma successfully:
1. Learn about asthma and stay up-to-date on new developments.
2. Take prescribed medications. Dont make any changes until you check with your physician. Dont use over- the-counter medications unless prescribed by your physician!
3. Check your lungs daily at home by using a peak flow meter. Asthma patients often can detect lung changes with a peak flow meter before they actually experience any changes. Visit your physician regularly for further in-office tests. Lung testing is painless and provides valuable data that helps your physician make adjustments in your medication.
4. Make an asthma management plan with your physician. A plan establishes guidelines that tell you what to do if your asthma symptoms get worse.
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