Ragweed and Other Reasons to Keep Outside Out

If you’ve been experiencing itchy or watery eyes lately or noticed that you are sneezing, sniffling, or itching more than often, you might be allergic to ragweed pollens.

This is the time of year ragweed and other weeds are the most common pollens in the air.  Single ragweed can produce over one billion grains of pollen.  Can you imagine unleashing one billion particles of allergy-causing misery? It is like single ragweed is an invading army and your immune system just doesn’t stand a chance. Doesn’t it make you want to sneeze just to think about it?

Well, the same wonderful end of summer and early fall weather that triggers the ragweeds to produce pollen also tempts us to open our windows.  But, if you have allergies it is really not a great idea.  It is best to keep the outside out.  It also seems counter-intuitive to the idea of “fresh” air.

I was speaking to a young man in the midwest earlier this week about his conflicting desires to want the “freshest” air in his house balanced with his desire for his daughter to breathe the cleanest air.

He had been researching air exchanging units and had read some pretty convincing marketing materials supporting the benefits of “clean” air from the outside.  His question was spot on,  “If this unit brought air in from outside and the air had pollen or mold, was he making things better or worse?”

Well, if this unit sucked the air from outside and did nothing to clean that air, then things would be worse.  If the unit brought air in, cleaned it up, then dumped it into the house, then it truly would be “fresh” air.

Remember you don’t want to bring more pollen or mold into your house than already sneaks in every time you open a door.  Remember, you also carry bits of pollen and molds from the air on your clothes and hair if you go outside when counts are high.  It really is best to keep the outside out.

If you do open your windows, then run your HEPA air cleaner on high.  Put it to work sucking up those particles.  Look into using MicroAirScreen Window Air Screens that will allow you to open your window 8″ but still block those pollens and molds.

Also, take a moment to check the pollen levels before you open up.  Many newspapers print pollen counts and you can always visit Pollen.Com to get your local forecast.  They even have a mobile app that you can download if that’s your style. So, no matter how you approach it, keep the outside out and the inside in.

Til Next Time!
Cheryl

Ragweed Allergy Season is Here

The calendar says fall is still a few days away, but fall seasonal allergies have already started. The cool and wet summer experienced by much of the country means a strong ragweed allergy season is on tap.

Fall Seasonal Allergens

fight ragweed allergy with masks and nasal irrigation Ragweeds, goldenrods, and molds are the most common fall seasonal allergy culprits.  Fortunately, the ragweeds and goldenrods will be gone with the first few frosts. Mold can linger all winter.

Just one ragweed plant can produce one billion pollen particles and they are so small and light that the wind can carry them many miles. Goldenrods get a bad rap in the fall because they bloom at the same time as the ragweeds and the plants look similar. However, goldenrod pollen isn’t as likely to become airborne because it depends on insects for dispersal. The goldenrod pollen grains are much larger and are sticky, so they don’t get blown about the neighborhood. You can blame the goldenrods, but the ragweeds are the real problem.

Ragweeds and goldenrods can be found on the roadsides, the edges of pathways, and the perimeter of fields and forests. They will be in areas that aren’t frequently mowed. To reduce pollen exposure, drive with your windows up and avoid the areas where the ragweeds are growing.

Fight Back this Ragweed Allergy Season

If you have fall seasonal allergies, you may want to consider moving your exercise activities indoors. If the idea of running on a treadmill doesn’t excite you, then continue your jogging routine while wearing a U2SportMask to protect against pesky pollen particles. These masks are also great for:

  •  Walking;
  • Biking;
  • ATV trail riding; and
  • Gardening and raking leaves
Nasal Irrigation for Ragweed Allergy Control

Nasal and sinus irrigation is making a comeback as a means of natural allergy control.  As people are more interested in finding ways to control their allergies without medication, the market has responded with advanced technologies for more comfortable nasal and sinus irrigation.   Read how to get Relief from Seasonal Allergy Using Nasal Irrigation to discover more about this technique.

While the bad news is that the fall ragweed allergy season is off to an early and strong start, it won’t be long lived. Most temperate areas are expecting early frosts which will kill the ragweeds and put an end to the ragweed allergy season.

Till Next Time!

Cheryl

Best Dust Mask for Trail Riding

Mu2 Sprt Mask
Mu2 Sprt Mask

I don’t ride ATV’s or dirt bikes or participate in motocross events.  But have talked to lots of people that do. Riding all terrain vehicles (ATVs) is a very popular pastime. The first models were released in the 1960’s and the first 4 wheeler came out in 1983.  People tell me they like being outdoors, riding in different terrain, and seeing our beautiful countryside.

One of the big problems people face is the amount of dust kicked up on the trails. They are looking for something that will keep them from breathing dust, but not be so hot they can’t stand it.  Fitting comfortably under a helmet is a plus. I hear stories of all sorts of things they have tried. Everything from respirators to plain bandanas.

How do I hear these stories? Well, it turns out that our U2 Sports Mask is a big hit with the trail riders.  The mask combines the same material used to make the Q-Mask in a neoprene covering that allows the mask to cover both the nose and mouth without restricting airflow.

Because particles hit the “filtering” material and bounce off, it doesn’t clog up and won’t get hot under the mask.  The neoprene and filtering material are both thin, so the mask straps fit comfortably under a helmet.  These benefits make the Sport Mask  the best mask for off roading.

Best dust mask for trail ridingWe originally sold the U2 mask thinking that people that ride bicycles needed a way to keep molds and pollen out of their respiratory system during their excursions.

I liked the mask, because one of my favorite bike riding routes goes past some wetlands that can be full of gnats and other small flying insects.  While you can keep your mouth closed, you still have to breathe through your nose and I inevitably inhaled a bug or two every time: one of the grossest feelings in the world!

The U2 mask looked perfect for biking and it was. It allowed me to ride without being exposed to pollens and molds, without restricting my airflow and kept the bugs out of my nose and mouth, all at the same time.  As far as I was concerned it was the perfect bike riding mask.

Once we put them out on the internet, ATVers started snapping them up.  Seems they had the same needs as the bikers for a great, comfortable mask.

As one of our customers said, “I can follow my buddy on the trail now without eating his dust”. So next time the rider in front of you says “Eat My Dust” just put on your U2 Sports Mask and reply “I don’t think so”!

Til Next Time