Topic: Allergy

Just before the start of the season is also a good time to check in with your allergist to be sure you have the medications you need on hand and that you are taking the proper doses to keep triggers at bay. At the same time, check the expiration dates on your current medications and throw them away if necessary. Ask your doctor for any prescription refills you may need.

Seasonal Allergies; Allergic Asthma

Certain medications take time to build up in your system to be completely effective.
If the frost does you could, then perhaps your doctor let you cut back on some of your medications over the winter. It may be a few days or as long as two weeks of increased doses for you to reap all the benefits of the medication you are taking. To learn about your medications, read the patient insert (yes, they are meant to be read, not thrown out!) or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Seasonal allergies in the spring are due mainly to tree and grass pollen. The pollen of most flowering plants is not airborne, but carried by bees and butterflies, so it usually does not affect people with allergies. Hay fever season arrives in late summer and can last into October. The airborne allergens at that time of year are from ragweed and other weed pollens.

A lot of allergens contribute to (or cause) allergic rhinitis such as mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Mold spores can be outside at any time of year, except when snow covers the ground. Indoors, mold is found on houseplants and in damp places such as basements and bathrooms. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that eat skin particles and dander. You can reduce the dust mite population, but they are probably almost impossible to totally remove from your home.

It is especially important during allergy season to know your best average readings. As soon as you notice a drop in your lung function, contact your doctor right away to forestall any further problems. In some cases, you may notice a slight drop in peak flow readings before you have a serious asthma attack. Stay one step ahead!

You know the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Cliche or not, it's advice to take to heart when managing asthma. Waiting until symptoms get bad or until you need a trip to the emergency room is defintely the wrong approach.