Asthma Archives

June 12, 2011October 24, 2022

Allergies and How to Prepare for Summer Camp

School ended here in South Florida last week. Parents and kids alike are starting to prepare for sleepaway camp. If you have a child with asthma or allergies, you need to know how to prepare for summer camp.

Prepare for Summer Camp -Food Allergies

Before your child leaves, make sure to speak with the director about any medications that will need to be administered. Also, if your child has food allergies, the time to discuss special diets is before you commit your camper and pay your fees.

Prepare for Summer Camp – Asthma

If your child is a seasoned camper, you have been through this routine before. Find out if they have a nebulizer on hand for emergencies or if you need to pack one. Find out their Epi-Pen policy. When out on a hike, who carries the Epi-Pen in case of an emergency insect sting? Critical if your child is allergic to bees or wasps.

Prepare for Summer Camp – Dust Mite Allergy

If your camper is required to bring their own bedding, you get an allergy-proofing break.

You can make sure that your camper is sleeping on sheets that you washed with De-Mite or Allergen Wash. No matter who is providing the linen, be sure to send an inexpensive zippered allergy-proof cover for the mattress and pillow.

For campers, we recommend using either the SMS or vinyl. You wouldn’t want to sleep on them every night as they are not the sturdiest (that is why we recommend them for the boxsprings) but for 1 to 4 weeks of sleeping at camp, they are perfect to use and then throw away. Most camp beds are long twin, be sure to ask the camp in advance so you get the right size.

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Read the label to make sure that there is no PABA, parabens, or vitamin A. Same for the soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

While Your Camper is Away

While your little camper is away, take advantage of the time to do a good deep clean of their room. Start at the top and work your way down, wiping down walls, furniture, doorjambs, window sills, and such. Strip all the bedding and wash in De-Mite or Allergen Wash. Clean the floors (including under the bed) and baseboards. Don’t forget to clean any picture frames and wash the curtains. Turn the air cleaner on high and close the door. Your little camper will return to a clean, fresh room.

When Your Camper Returns

Make sure that their bag and belongings stay in the garage until unpacked and inspected. Bed bugs are tricky hitchhikers and you don’t want them coming home with your camper.

Summer camp is can be a great experience but…no matter how far you travel and how much fun you have…there is no place like home!

Til Next Time

Cheryl

The Allergy Store

January 27, 2011September 30, 2014

UTMB Study Could Lead to New Therapies for Asthma, COPD

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston just released information on a discovery that could lead to new therapies for asthma and improve therapies for the people suffering from asthma and COPD.

Great News.

Role of Goblet Cell Metaplasia

“Using cell culture and laboratory mouse experiments, the researchers showed that the enzyme, aldose reductase, is essential to a process known as goblet cell metaplasia that is seen in both asthma and COPD. In goblet cell metaplasia, exposure to allergens such as pollen, mold
and dust mites initiates a series of biochemical reactions that causes the cells that line the air passages of the lungs to change from their normal state into so-called “goblet cells,” which produce substantial amounts of excess mucus. Healthy individuals’ lungs contain very few goblet cells, but patients who die from asthma — an estimated 5,000
people annually — have significantly higher numbers of these cells.

Aldose Reductase Key to New Therapies for Asthma

“Aldose reductase is key to a whole range of inflammation
disorders, so it comes as no surprise that it should be crucial to the inflammatory processes that drive disease in asthma and COPD,” said UTMB Health biochemistry and molecular biology professor Satish Srivastava, senior author of the paper. “The discovery that aldose reductase
regulates mucus production and goblet cell metaplasia makes inhibition of this enzyme an attractive therapeutic option to reduce mucus-related airway obstructive diseases — and for the first time gives us a real chance to alter the course of the underlying disease in asthma and
COPD.”

You can read the complete article here.

One thing it mentions is the possibility that these new therapies for asthma and COPD may provide an alternative to steroid treatment for patients. I know many of our clients would love to stop taking steroids. So many parents are concerned about the effects long-term steroid use will have on their children.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause

AllergyStore.com

December 14, 2010October 1, 2014

Vitamin D and Asthma

Did you get your dose of vitamin D today? If you have asthma, that is a question you should be asking. An article published in the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) documented the relationship between Vitamin D and asthma that is not controlled.

Follow this link to read the complete article.

It is winter time so most people are spending more times indoors where it is warm. Even in South Florida its a bit chilly today. One of the things being outdoors and in the sun (besides keeping us warm) is that sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D.

Vitamin D Benefits

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that is necessary for the human body and helps us stay healthy Vitamin D gives us strong bones and aides in absorption of other nutrients. Short term exposure to sunshine on a regular basis and a healthy diet with plenty of vitamin D enriched foods such as milk and yogurt will usually provide an adequate amount of vitamin D.

If you have asthma, you may want to discuss this article with your doctor. It might be time for you to explore the relationship between Vitamin D and asthma if your asthma is not well controlled.

Always discuss use of supplements with your allergist.

In the meantime stay warm and try to get some sun and your Vitamin D.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause
AlleregyStore.com – Helping our customers since 1989
800 771-2246