Category: Allergies

Posted on

Cockroach Allergy is for Real

We’re wrapping up this month’s discussion of annoying pests with the venerable cockroach. Have you ever heard of cockroach allergy? cockroach by japanachaiJust like dust mites, people can be allergic to cockroaches and they are a main source of allergens in densely populated areas. Twenty-three to sixty percent of urban residents with asthma test as sensitive to the cockroach allergen.

Cockroach allergy was first reported in 1943. Skin rashes appeared immediately after the insects crawled over patients’ skin. How gross is that? The first allergy skin challenge test to confirm cockroach allergy in a patient was in 1959.

How do Cockroaches Cause Allergy?

roach crawling downJust like dust mites, cockroaches contain proteins in their bodies that are easily misidentified by the immune system as an enemy invader. When you inhale this protein, your body thinks it is a germ and kicks your immune system into high gear.

The bad news is that when cockroaches die, they create in the environment even more of the allergy causing protein. That’s because the protein is released as their wicked cockroach bodies break down and crumble.

Cockroach Allergy Symptomsroach crawling up

Cockroach allergy symptoms can be similar to dust mite allergy symptoms, except they don’t only occur and night and in the morning. Coughing, wheezing, skin rash, and a runny nose can all be symptoms of cockroach allergy. As stated earlier, cockroach allergy frequently contributes to asthma.

Control the Cockroaches!

roach crawling downThe best way to control your cockroach allergy is to control the cockroaches. Integrated pest management practices will reduce cockroach populations with the least amount of poison. In addition, The American College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology suggests that you:

  • Keep food and garbage in containers with tight lids. Never leave food out anywhere.
  • Clean up food crumbs and spilled liquids immediately.
  • Wash dirty dishes right away, never leave them out.
  • Don’t leave out pet food, except when the pet is eating.
  • Keep counters, sinks, stove, tables, and floors clean and clear of clutter.
  • Clean the kitchen floor after meals. Mop the floor at least once a week.
  • Repair leaky faucets, drain pipes, and other moisture problems.
  • Get rid of cardboard boxes and newspapers, where cockroaches may hide.
  • Plug up small spaces around the house, such as cracks between the wall and floor, where cockroaches can enter.

Control the Allergens

allergen wash removes cockroach allergyIf you find that cockroaches have invaded, once you get the invasion under control you can attack the allergens they left behind. Almost every product that we sell that controls dust mite allergen will work on cockroach allergen as well. This means that if you find cockroaches in a box of stored clothing, you can wash the clothing with Allergen Wash and the cockroach allergen will be washed away.

If you have had cockroaches crawling on your floors or furniture, you ADMS Anti Allergen Spray removes cockroach allergycan lightly spray with ADMS Anti Allergen Spray. It will safely denature the cockroach protein and is safe for your furniture and fabric surfaces. All it takes is a light mist. If you have had a serious cockroach invasion, you might need to make two treatments.

Unfortunately cockroaches are probably here to stay. In the end, it will probably just be sharks, cockroaches, and dust mites roaming the planet and seas. Until then, if you think you are allergic to cockroaches, talk to your doctor about it. They can perform skin or blood tests and suggest medications to get symptoms under control until you can control the little buggers.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl

cockroaches courtesy japanachai@freedigitalphotos
Posted on

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
Posted on

Best Face Mask for Cutting Grass

Best Mask For Cutting Grass
Best Mask For Cutting Grass

The calendar doesn’t say “summer” yet, but it is hard to tell that to the grass that is growing like crazy.  If you suffer from summer time seasonal allergies, grass pollen is the major culprit. If you do your own lawn work, you need a good mask for cutting grass.

The seasonal allergy cycle starts in the Spring with trees and in the Summer transitions to grasses. Come Fall season, it will be the ragweeds responsible for the pollen in the air.

You can do your part to reduce air-borne pollen in your neighborhood by keeping the grass cut short.  You have to balance on that thin line between grass that is not too short so you can conserve water use and grass that is not too long so that it begins to produce pollen.

However, you can only control the grass in your yard. If you live near fields or undeveloped lots (or homes in foreclosure and the bank isn’t mowing) there can still be lots of pollen in the air.

Over the last couple of years, we have found that our U2 Sports Mask is becoming as popular with lawn care professionals as it is with ATV and motocross riders when it comes to a mask for cutting grass and other lawn work.

It started with the tree trimming company in Hawaii.  Their workers were adversely affected by pollen and the masks they had tried to block the pollen also restricted air flow.  You don’t want to be short of breath when you are trimming trees.

Then, there was the church that owned a large retreat property that had to be mowed. Once again, the employees needed a mask that would stop the grass pollen and still be cool and comfortable.

My favorite is the man that had no problems with pollen but instead his riding mower kicked up dust and loads of small annoying black gnats.  He was just tired of gnats in his nose and mouth and found the U2 Sports Mask did the trick.

Now that was no surprise to me.  During the summer I love to ride my bike on the trails around the lake by my house.  There is just one spot that I always pedaled double speed, because it was always full of these little black flies.

When we first carried the U2 Sports Mask, I discovered that I could wear the mask, breathe easily no matter how hard I was riding, and it kept all the black flies out of my mouth.

So, if you have a riding mower or just a walk behind like mine, if you want protection from air-borne pollen, molds, dust, dirt and bugs then the U2 Sports Mask is the perfect mask for you.

Til Next Time!