People with allergies to dust mites and molds are well
served by encasing their pillows, mattress, and box springs
in zippered, allergen-impermeable encasings. These covers
provide the patient with a protective barrier against dust
mites, their fecal particles, and mold antigens. This is
critical in reducing your dust mite exposure especially if
you take into account that most people spend at least one-
third of each day in the bedroom. The bedroom is also a
haven for dust mites due its warmth and humidity and to the
abundant food source from human skin flakes and
secretions.
Formerly, dust covers were only available in plastic.
Fortunately, the technology has improved to the point that
the newer fabrics allow airflow but completely prevent the
passage of antigens through the impermeable fibers. The
flow of air and perspiration through the fabric provides
excellent comfort without the clammy feel associated with
plastic. These products are increasingly available through
various allergy catalogs, allergy supply houses, home
supply stores and an ever-increasing number of online
computer sites. Grocery store chains are increasingly
carrying these products as awareness of their effectiveness
has grown. Be sure to examine the samples available so you
will be comfortable with your product choice. There is a
range of prices for these products, so be sure to compare.
Your allergist will typically have an array of catalogs and
order forms to assist you in your search.
When people invest in dust covers, they sometimes omit
the purchase of the box spring cover in an effort to
economize. Since the body is not in direct contact with the
box spring, people might think it is not important enough
to bother with. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.
Several years ago, a study compared the dust mite counts of
beds with partial versus complete coverings. It was quite
clear that unless all parts are covered, the entire bed
becomes reinfested with dust mites in a short period of
time. The good news is that you can use a less expensive
vinyl cover on the box spring since it does not touch the
skin. The investment in complete dust covers is well worth
the money.
Allergy
Fact
Researchers in Spain recently found that children
sleeping in the bottom and top bunks of bunk beds were
equally likely to develop allergy to dust mites. However,
the child sleeping on the bottom bunk was at a
significantly higher risk of developing asthma than the
child on the top bunk. It may be that the health aspects
of bunking together should be considered when planning
children's room designs, especially for families with
asthma and allergy histories.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is usually caused by pollen in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a type of chronic rhinitis and is a year–round problem, often caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, animal dander, and pollens that may exist at the time. Treatment of chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip are dependant upon the type of rhinitis condition.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Hoarseness (abnormal deep, harsh, raspy voice) is caused by a variety of conditions in which the larynx (voice box and vocal chords) are irritated or injured. Examples of causes of hoarseness include: laryngitis, straining the vocal cords by yelling or screaming, infections, GERD, allergies, and more. Treatment of hoarseness depends on the cause.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Common sources of indoor allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, molds, pets, and plants. Managing allergies caused by indoor allergens means reducing your exposure to them.
Biologic rhythms, or biorhythms, are how our bodies respond to the regular phases of the sun, moon, and seasons. A medical chronobiologist studies how the "body clock" or biorhythms affect diseases and how the body clock responds to treatment of diseases and conditions at different times of the day.
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