If your child suffers from asthma, you are probably already aware of some of the triggers. Any number of things can trigger an asthma attack – from the fumes coming out of your fireplace to the secondhand smoke wafting through your home. We recently wrote a blog on how to reduce asthma problems by changing your child’s diet, but in this blog, we want to discuss several other ways to help your kids deal with this deadly disease.
You already know that keeping these triggers to a minimum is one of the best ways to keep those asthma attacks reduced. While nothing can eliminate all asthma attacks, making a few changes around your home can make your child healthier and happier.
Eliminate Secondhand Smoke
According to experts, smoke is as dangerous or even more dangerous than direct smoking, and children are especially susceptible to its negative effects.
Smoke is one of the most powerful asthma triggers – and one of the easiest to avoid. Simply living in a home where smokers are lighting up can significantly increase the odds of an asthma attack. If your child has asthma, you owe it to yourself and your family to completely cut out the secondhand smoke.
That means not allowing smoking inside your home, even when the asthma sufferer is not present. The fumes from those cigarettes can linger throughout the home – in the curtains, in the carpets and even in your child’s toys. Making sure that no one – from parents and relatives to caregivers and visitors – smokes inside your home is one of the most effective ways to keep those asthma attacks at bay.
Watch Those Household Chemicals
The average home is filled with chemicals – from the pesticide sprays, you use in the garden to the glass cleaner you use on your windows. Those household chemicals may not bother you, but they could be a real trigger for someone with asthma.
It is a good idea to limit the kind and amount of chemicals you use around the home – and to look for natural alternatives wherever and whenever you can. Those natural cleansers can be just as effective as the chemical kind – and much less likely to trigger an asthma attack.
Keep it Clean
Cleanliness is essential in a home where an asthma sufferer lives. Phoenix desert dust mites, mold, mildew, roof rats, and other contaminants can trigger asthma attacks – especially in children. Keeping those contaminants at bay is a great way to reduce asthma attacks and protect your child.
That means washing sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding frequently to limit the number of dust mites in the bedroom. It also means keeping cockroaches and cats (pet fur is not good either!) at bay by always storing leftovers in airtight containers – or in the refrigerator. If you do spot household pests, use closed baits and traps – avoid spray pesticides that could trigger an asthma attack.
You can help prevent mold and mildew in your home by immediately fixing any cracks or leaks you find. Watch for signs of water damage, and always investigate any wet spots. Running the exhaust fan every time, you take a shower can also reduce the growth of mold and mildew.
Shield Your Lungs from Pollen
When the sun is shining and the pavement is hot enough to fry an egg, just walking outside could trigger an asthma attack in a vulnerable individual. Asthma sufferers are more likely to suffer respiratory problems than those who do not suffer from asthma and having a basic understanding of pollinating plants and their associated pollen counts could be critical.
A number of plants common in the Phoenix metro area are huge sources of pollen, not just in the hot summer months but all year long. For homeowners mowing their lawns and irrigating their yards, weeds are a big problem. Simply watering the grass or spraying the weeds could send pollen particles flying, so it is important for asthma sufferers to protect themselves.
Other sources of pollen can hide in our lush greenbelts and desert mountain preserves. If you love to hike and spend time outdoors, researching pollen counts before you head out could be a smart move. You can also use information about high pollen counts to time your hikes and choose trails that are less likely to trigger your respiratory issues.
Phoenix is a wonderful place to be, and it is blessed with amazing natural beauty. You do not have to hide indoors or avoid the great things the area has to offer. All you need is a healthy dose of common sense and some basic knowledge.
Making a few simple changes around your home can significantly reduce the number of asthma issues your child suffers from. These changes are not difficult to make, and they can help the asthma sufferer in your home enjoy a more comfortable life, and avoid a deadly attack.
If you need more help and live in the Phoenix area, please contact our asthma and allergy office for an appointment with one of our Board Certified doctors. We have 5 locations in the Valley to serve you and your family- and are known for the care and experience when working with children!
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Parents who would like to help reduce asthma symptoms in their children without medication, or additional medication, may be able to accomplish this goal through a change in diet. Parents may even be able to help prevent asthma in their youngsters with the right meal plan. Several studies confirm the benefits for children of eating plenty of fatty fish, vegetables and fruits, while avoiding unhealthy foods.
Why Are Fatty Fish Important in the Diet?
Some examples of these fish, also called oily fish, include salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and mackerel. They contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are recognized for anti-inflammation benefits for the cardiovascular system. These nutrients help prevent and manage heart disease. That’s a primary reason so many people take fish oil supplements. The American Heart Association advises people to eat at least two servings of fish, preferably oily fish, every week.
Some examples of these fish, also called oily fish, include salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and mackerel. They contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are recognized for anti-inflammation benefits for the cardiovascular system. These nutrients help prevent and manage heart disease. That’s a primary reason so many people take fish oil supplements. The American Heart Association advises people to eat at least two servings of fish, preferably oily fish, every week.
Asthma and Inflammation
Asthma symptoms are caused by inflammation in the airways that cause air passages to become narrower temporarily. With uncontrolled asthma, the person sometimes has difficulty breathing, with symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. Patients generally carry rescue inhalers in addition to their other asthma medication in case they experience an uncomfortable, and perhaps severe, attack.
Reducing Symptoms
Research published in the October 2018 issue of the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics focused on the advantages of eating at least two servings of fatty fish per day for the anti-inflammation qualities. The children in the study ate a Mediterranean diet, which is known for a daily menu emphasizing vegetables, whole grains and fruit, along with a small amount of low-fat dairy foods, eggs and lean meat.
After six months, the participants who had been eating the Mediterranean diet with two servings of oily fish per week experienced significant improvement in lung function compared with participants who ate a more standard diet.
Prevention
Authors of research appearing in PLOS One in 2013, from the Public Library of Science, looked at several studies focusing on how consuming omega-3 fatty acids affects the development of asthma. They found that children who consumed more omega-3 fatty acids had a significantly lower risk of developing asthma. However, this was not true for adults.
Expert Insight
An article published in the journal Nutrients in 2017 discussed the differences between the standard American diet and the Mediterranean diet, and how these types of eating patterns can influence asthma symptoms. The typical American diet is characterized by a high intake of numerous foods associated with increased inflammation in the body. These include red meat, processed meat, fast food, deep-fried food, high-fat food, sugary substances and refined grains like low-fiber bread and pasta.
What to Do Next Regarding your Children Suffering from Asthma
When parents realize their children are eating a relatively large amount of unhealthy foods, it’s time to make some major changes to the menu. They might try serving a different species of fatty fish each week so everyone can try the various flavors. A usual favorite can be served on another day. Boosting the intake of veggies, fruit and whole grains will be advantageous, and so will minimizing going to fast-food restaurants and serving too many foods with added sugar.
When children already have symptoms of asthma, their parents can seek diagnosis and treatment for these youngsters at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates in metropolitan Phoenix.
Please note that this article is for education purposes, and does not constitute medical advice. Please see an asthma doctor or your PCP before changing medications or modifying your diet.
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Your team at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates thought this article produced by WebMd© would be a good resource for your family, especially during this holiday season. We hope this helps you and your family if you or your children are dealing with asthma. Please call our office at 602-242-4592 if you have any questions, or read the original article at: https://www.webmd.com/asthma/features/holiday-asthma-triggers-for-kids
Holiday Asthma Triggers For Kids
If your child’s rendition of “dashing through the snow” sounds more like, “wheezing through the snow,” you know the holidays are here. It’s that time of year again, when parents drag dusty decorations out of the basement, plop live trees laden with last summer’s mold and pollen in the middle of the living room-, and surprise their kids with a new kitten or puppy on Christmas morning.
All in all, the holidays are a cornucopia of asthma triggers for children.”Each individual’s asthma triggers differ,” says Kristy Miller, a spokesperson for the Environment Protection Agency. “However, from an indoor environmental perspective, the primary asthma triggers include secondhand smoke, pet dander, mold, dust mites, and pest droppings. During the winter months, many people spend more time indoors, so steps should be taken to reduce or eliminate exposures to these environmental asthma triggers.”How can you help your children ring in the holidays on an asthma-free note? WebMD© turned to the experts for advice on how to avoid the most common holiday asthma triggers for kids, so the whole family can enjoy a winter wonderland of festivities –with not a symptom in sight.
Asthma Triggers: Be Wary of Holiday Bugs
No, not the kind with wings, but respiratory infections, which run rampant during the cold winter months – particularly during the holidays, when families travel over the river and through the snow, with millions of other sneezing and coughing merry-makers.
“Asthma flair-ups are frequently due to infections,” says Richard Honsinger, MD, of the Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic. “And during the holidays, we see an increased number of respiratory infections with all the traveling and with people sharing their bugs that cause asthma symptoms to worsen.”
How can respiratory infections be avoided in your kids? Your first option is to stay home during the holidays, and your second is to make sure your kids wash their hands–a lot. Proper hand washing–a good scrubbing with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds–can reduce the number of germs your kids pick up over the course of the day, which in turn helps lowers the risk of catching a cold and triggering asthma.
Asthma Triggers: The Culprits are Fido and Fluffy –
Giving your child a puppy or kitten for Christmas sounds like an enchanting idea, but don’t forget that that adorable little bundle is covered in dander–a common asthma trigger.
“Parents get their kids a new dog for Christmas, when they don’t know if the kids are allergic or not,” says Honsinger, who is a professor of clinical medicine at the University of New Mexico. “It’s a time of year when its cold, so pets are indoors more often than not, so their dander is inside as well and we see an influx of pet allergies and asthma symptoms.”
If your child has asthma, eczema or other allergies, it’s probably a good idea to have him or her skin-tested for animal allergies–before you start picking out puppy names.
Asthma Triggers: Oh, Christmas Tree
While a tree in and of itself might not trigger an asthma attack, what’s on it certainly could.
“Christmas trees usually have leftover mold on them, or pollen, and many people with asthma have an increased difficulty breathing when you bring a live tree in the house and you warm it up,” says Honsinger.
And then there are the decorations–the dusty, dirty decorations that have been sitting in the basement for 11 months.
“People get all their ornaments out of their basements and closets and they’re covered in dust,” Honsinger tells WebMD©.
The Christmas tree all lit up with warm lights and decorated with old bulbs is a perfect recipe for asthma trouble in kids, so wipe it down with a damp cloth before you set it up in the middle of your living room to remove outdoor allergens. Before you drag your holiday storage containers out of the basement, give them a good dusting so they’re free of mites, pest droppings and other unpleasant holiday treats, and wash decorations before you put them on the tree.
Asthma Triggers: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
While it sounds like a nice place for your child to cozy up after a big holiday feast, fireplaces can trigger asthma.
“Fireplaces and stoves and things that leak smoke are things that increase the asthma response,” says Honsinger. “It’s not a true allergy–you can’t test for smoke allergies on the skin–but we know that particulate matter or burning material in the air causes an increase in asthma symptoms.”Particulate matter can also mean exhaust and cigarette smoke, explains Honsinger. So before you set off to visit grandma who still smokes two packs a day, remember to pack your child’s medicine – and be prepared to head home early if asthma symptoms flare up.
Asthma Triggers: Baby It’s Cold Outside
When the snow falls and the temperature drops, your child will be eager to go outside and play. But don’t forget that cold air is a known asthma trigger.
“We know that breathing cold, dry air will increase asthma symptoms,” says Honsinger. “It excites the receptors in the lung causing asthma to come on quickly.”
Cold air dries the lungs out, and makes the chest tighten, explains Honsinger. Warm, moist air, however, is just what a kid with asthma needs.
“During cold weather have your child wear a scarf when he’s outside,” says Honsinger. ”They breath through the cloth and it catches moisture. Then they breath back in through it and it warms the air and makes the air moist. Then they’re less likely to get that feeling of tightness.”
To be on the safe side, if your child is playing outside, monitor her peak flow every hour or so.
“Use a peak flow meter so you can see how fast your child’s air is coming out,” says Honsinger. “Use a set of guidelines that you set up with your physician, so if the peak flow drops below a certain level, use medicine. If it drops further, you better seek help. It’s something to watch.”
Be Ready for Any Asthma Trigger
Don’t forget that your pediatrician’s office and your local pharmacy may have an irregular schedule over the holidays. Make sure you are ready, in case your child has asthma symptoms..
“If your child has asthma, have your medicine supply intact over the holidays when everything closes down,” says Honsinger. “If your child uses an inhaler or a nebulizer, make sure you have these on hand, so if asthma symptoms flare up in the middle of Christmas, you have something at home to start treatment right away.”
Sources
Richard Honsinger, MD, Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic, professor of clinical medicine, University of New Mexico, spokesperson for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Los Alamos, NM. Kristy Miller, spokesperson, Environment Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers – Pets, Environmental Protection Agency; Skin Test, University of Maryland Medical Center.
© 2007 WebMD©
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Penicillin Allergies- FACTS from National Penicillin Day – Sept 28th, 2018
Did you know that there is a day in September for penicillin allergies? Yes, Sept 28th, 2018 has been chosen as this special day because the reports of allergies to penicillin have been dramatically increasing!
Another few (see below for medical articles for these facts)…
Did you know millions of Americans have been MISDIAGNOSED with a penicillin allergy?
While 10% of the population believes they have one, LESS THAN 1% ACTUALLY HAS ONE!!
Penicillin may have been around since 1929, but it remains the go-to for many illnesses, from strep throat to meningitis. In some cases it is the only known, effective treatment out there.
Of course, if you have a penicillin allergy it’s vital to identify it so you can pass that information on to health providers. But if you don’t, you’re spending extra money for alternative drugs which are less effective. In some cases you’ll needlessly miss out on having access to any treatments at all.
What’s the problem with alternative drugs?
Some of alternatives may open you up to additional health problems. Many of them are broad-spectrum antibiotics. You may be aware there are both good bacteria and bad bacteria in our bodies. The broad-spectrum antibiotics kill both. This can open the door to other infections.
Penicillin is an antibiotic as well, but it doesn’t have this problem. Thus, if no allergy is present it’s usually a better choice.
What are the symptoms of a penicillin allergy?
The symptoms can be distressing and dangerous. They include:
- Rashes or hives
- Itching
- Breathing problems
- Swelling
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Anaphylaxis
It’s important to note people can also end up allergic to this drug after years of taking it safely. An allergy is nothing more than the body’s decision to start producing antibodies in response to certain substances (Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America) . Some have allergies and don’t know it, while others think they have allergies, and do not!
How can this allergy be treated?
Avoidance is the first step. If you really are allergic you need to let all your medical providers know so they can set you up with alternatives. We may also prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids, depending on your unique needs.
How can anyone think they have an allergy if they actually don’t?
There are three ways this happens.
- Sometimes people show symptoms while they’re taking penicillin, but they’re coincidental. You might have had an allergic reaction to something else which was blamed on the penicillin. Your doctor may have had a “better safe than sorry” philosophy. In earlier decades the risks of the alternatives hadn’t been as extensively studied, so physicians usually felt there was no harm in switching over.
- Sometimes the apparent allergy was the result of a drug interaction you may have had at the time.
- Finally, you might well have had an allergy as a child, but that doesn’t mean you still have one. The allergy often reverses itself, especially if you’ve avoided penicillin for 10 years or more. It would be wise to get testing from a certified allergy testing clinic like ours just to be sure, so you can use this life-saving drug if you need it.
How does allergy testing work?
We will perform a scratch skin test, a blood test, or both (yes, we can even test children for allergies!). In most cases this will give us an accurate read on whether the allergy is present. In some cases we may perform a “supervised consumption” test, in which we have you take a little penicillin here at the office to see what it does. We will only do this if we judge the risks of doing so to be low.
Testing doesn’t take much time, and it doesn’t cost much! So don’t guess, don’t self-diagnose, and don’t rely on what doctors told you when you were 8.
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Please, make an appointment with your allergy specialist to get tested today!
Resources to Read Penicillin Allergies?
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- Macy, Eric. Penicillin Allergy: Optimizing Diagnostic Protocols, Public Health Implications, and Future Research Needs. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology: August 2015 – Volume 15 – Issue 4 – p 308–313
- Salkind, Alan R., Paul G. Cuddy, and John W. Foxworth. “Is This Patient Allergic To Penicillin?: An Evidence-Based Analysis of the Likelihood of Penicillin Allergy.” JAMA 285.19 (2001): 2498-2505.
- Macy, E., & Contreras, R. (2014). Healthcare Use and Serious Infection Prevalence Associated with Penicillin “Allergy” in Hospitalized Patients: A Cohort Study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 133(3), 790-796.
- Owens, R. C., Fraser, G. L., & Stogsdill, P. (2004). Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs as a Means to Optimize Antimicrobial Use. Pharmacotherapy, 24(7), 896-908.
- Blumenthal, Kimberly G., et al. “Addressing Inpatient Beta-Lactam Allergies: A Multihospital Implementation.” The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice 5.3 (2017): 616-625.
- Dellit, T. H. (2007). Summary of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Guidelines for Developing an Institutional Program to Enhance Antimicrobial Stewardship. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, 15(4), 263-264.
- National Penicillin Day
- Allergies to Antihistamines article
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What is Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis (A.R) is more commonly referred to as “hay fever” or “allergies.” The medical term describes a cluster of symptoms that affect the nose, causing inflammation and an immune system reaction. Exposure to irritants or allergens during the Arizona allergy season can cause extreme discomfort and may also exacerbate other respiratory issues, making diagnosis and treatment vital.
Once treated, most people find that recovery is rapid, and that they can immediately return to normal activities. The problem is that most people do not go to a specialist right away, so please read so you can avoid this!
Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms & Causes
Patients suffering from A.R. can react differently from one another. Usually, early signs cause clients to wake up feeling groggy or stuffed up, with a tickle in their throat or nose. After a day of rubbing their eyes and sneezing, most know that the allergy has started. If you are experiencing any of the following, Allergic rhinitis is a likely culprit:
- Persistent sneezing
- Runny nose
- Watery Eyes
- Itching
- Coughing
- Feelings of pressure in the head, neck, or face
- Irritability
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Poor sleep quality
- Altered sense of smell
- Altered sense of taste
- Clogged ears or impaired hearing
- Discoloration around the eyes
- Mild swelling or puffiness in the eye or nasal area
- Sore throat or hoarse voice from draining
Hayfever (allergic rhinitis). can be caused by any irritant that triggers the immune system. Dust, animal dander, mold, pollen, or chemical exposure, are all possible instigators, with pollen being the most common. When pollen is the issue, we often refer to the condition as “hay fever.” Grasses, weeds, desert flowers and trees flood the air with seeds and pollehttp://allergyarizona.net/pollen-count-and-allergic-reactions-treatments-from-phoenix-allergist/n throughout the warm months, making hot, dry Arizona allergy season conditions especially miserable for hay fever sufferers.
Treatment Options -Make Changes to your Lifestyle
Great strides can be made to address allergies via simple lifestyle changes.
Patients often find tremendous relief from installing air filters that remove excess dust, debris, dust mites, and pet dander from the air. This is particularly important when they live near high traffic areas, construction sites, or open fields. If allergies are severe, it may be smart to avoid opening windows since dust tends to blow around at a higher rate. Adding humidity to the air will help contaminants fall to the ground so they can’t irritate sensitive nasal passages and lungs.
- Mold: If mold is a factor in symptoms, patients should
have a heating and cooling professional visit to inspect for growth in vents and air conditioning units.
- Food: Food allergies can compound other allergies, so if you see reactions after eating foods containing dairy, nuts, or other common allergens, you should make dietary alterations to reduce inflammation and reactivity in the body, and make an appointment immediately at one of our allergy clinics!
- Pet Dander: It may be impossible to give up pets, so it is important to try other measures that dramatically reduce exposure to dander. Using washable slip covers on furniture is recommended. Frequent vacuuming with a cleaner designed to pick up pet hair is ideal. Strategically placed air filters can greatly minimize the presence of allergens in rooms frequented by Fido or Fluffy.
- Nasal Wash: The popularity of nasal washes is directly due to their success in helping allergy sufferers. The wash serves to both soothe nasal passages and rinse away debris. As this debris is reduced, compounding of congestion as blocked passages collect allergens is resolved, providing almost immediate comfort. Special pots for this purpose have been around for centuries and are known as “neti pots.” More modern versions can be found in most pharmacies.
Treatment Options -Clinical Solutions to Allergic Rhinitis
There’s a good chance that if you’ve read this far, you’ve already tried a number of lifestyle solutions without success. This indicates that it’s time to get professional help at one of our clinics. Something more complex may be causing your allergies and we do a number of allergy tests that can help us to find out what is triggering your issues. Our doctors can even test for specific allergens – and will prescribe targeted treatments that work MUCH better than home, or over-the-counter remedies.
Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates can help!
Our 5 clinics have allergy experts (nurses, physicians and staff) who can get to the true heart of your problem. While the term “allergies” is very broad, the truth is that most patients struggle with a few specific triggers to their respiratory health. Knowing exactly what those are, helps you and your doctor identify the most successful, individualized treatment plan for you. This may include lifestyle changes similar to those above, or could include prescription strength medications. Treatments may include:
- Oral antihistamines to block the body’s allergic reactions
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays
- Decongestants to mitigate symptoms
- Leukotriene inhibitors to stop the release of allergy associated chemicals in the body
- Allergy shots
No matter what course you and your physician choose, A.R. is highly responsive to treatment. Most of these are noninvasive, and allow you to live uninterrupted with vastly improved comfort and energy levels. There is no reason to delay. Call us now at 602-242-4592 and banish your allergy symptoms today!
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