Allergy Relief Expert

The spring and fall is a time that most people consider to be wonderful times of year. Spring brings a fresh start after the winter months. Trees regain their leaves, flowers and blooming flowers and autumn leaves change color of a sample making fun of color in preparation for winter to come. However, for ragweed allergy sufferers, it is a time of terror and fear. Spring and autumn are the two important times of year for seasonal allergies.

Seasonal allergies are classified by certain substances in the air, which only appear at particular times of year, most often during spring and autumn, although summer allergies are also common.

More commonly known as hay fever, allergies do not always coincide with the summer when hay is harvested and rarely, fever, so the term “hay fever” may be a little misleading. Ragweed is one of the most common of all hay fever causing allergens.

Hay fever usually causes itching of the roof of the mouth, nose, back of the throat or eyes. This itching can come very rapidly. Symptoms include runny nose, as well as a filler in nose and sneezing. It often causes watery eyes, sometimes very very watery and possible redness of the eyes and eyelids. The nasal lining in the nose may inflamed and swollen. It can also cause headaches, irritability and wheeze. Many who experience these types of allergies may also have asthma.

Treatment usually depends on the type of allergy and severity, but usually this kind of allergies can be controlled through the use of antihistamines in the counter decongestants section of your local drug store. Bathing the eyes with eye wash regularly can also help alleviate any irritation of the eyes.

In the spring, hay fever is known to be triggered in the southern, eastern and the midwest parts of the US.  Trees like cedar, birch, oak, alder, maple and elm can release much pollen into the air.  In summer, grasses, such as red top, timothy, bluegrass and orchardgrass, are the main culprits, and in late summer, ragweed usually becomes the worse allergy trigger of all.

In the fall, and russian thistle sagebrush are known to cause major problems for hay fever sufferers in the western part of the U.S.  Between December and March, cedar (also known as juniper) is an important pollen producer. Grass in the south-western U.S. has a long period of pollination, which makes for a longer allergy season for the southwest region.

If you think you may be suffering from any form of hay fever, you can try any of the countless over the counter (OTC) allergy drugs on the market. In most cases, these drugs will do the trick. However it is always wise to consult with an allergy doctor for diagnosis and treatment.  Allergy shot regimens can drastically improve hay fever and other allergies.

Michael Russell is an independent writer who publishes articles on allergy related subjects. http://allergies-treatment.com

Allergies – Ragweed

How to deal with a mold allergy?

So I never had any allergies before, and recently began receiving some of the symptoms such as eruptions on the eyelids and a lot of sneezing and a runny nose. I discovered one of my old bags that had been hung from a hook on the door had mold in it. I used it last about as a month ago so I’m not sure where the mold came from.   I’m pretty sure that when I ever leave my house, I feel better. It sucks. The mold could be randomly somewhere where I can not see it – please help!  I live in a studio apartment and I fear that this could seriously damage my health, how can I cope?  I’m even starting to have some chest pains that I do not really know how to fix this problem. Thank you very much.

Best Answer:

Mold needs two things to grow:

1. The organic matter, of which every home has a much of it.
2. High levels of humidity. Mold needs to least 60% relative humidity to grow.

If you feel you have an allergy to mold then it is probably not all mold species but a particular type. When you develop a hypersensitivity to a mold, then you will experience allergy symptoms when exposed to it. This is especially true if the mold is growing somewhere in the house such as a damp wall, the air conditioning coil box or perhaps a refrigerator drip pan.

First look around the cupboard and the whole apartment for sources of moisture. Check for damp walls, leaking pipes, mineral stains in the ceiling sheet rock from a roof leak, holes in siding and around window frames. Since you live in an apartment complex, there is also a chance that moisture is being caused by a leak in an adjacent unit, so ask around and see if your neighbors have mold problems. If no leaks are obvious then it may be growing in a place out of sight such as those listed above. Have a heating and air conditioning professional check your unit for mold in the coil box, check under sinks for a mold smell, clean your refrigerator drip pan and check all other hidden areas where moisture may be hiding. You could even purchase an inexpensive hygrometer and check the humidity levels around the house. Relative humidity (RH) readings should be below 60%. If the RH level is above 60%, then you should rent or purchase a dehumidifier to control humidity in the house. As soon as you lower and maintain moisture levels relative between 40-50%, then molds may dry out and release spores into the air. Unfortunately a dead or alive mold spore can make you ill so you will still need to remove excess dust including possible mold spores from the indoor environment.

Consider purchasing a HEPA (high efficient particle air) vacuum cleaner and air purifier and use regularly until symptoms get better. If you continue having a moldy smell indoors, then you may also consider hiring a mold contractor to remediate the problem. Be sure and check at least three of their references before proceeding.

About the Author:
The Sick House Center provides resources and information about Sick House Syndrome and other indoor pollution issues. Read about Mold Solutions for the indoor environment at the Sick House Center.

Mold Allegies