FitSugar

Got Allergies? Get a Dehumidifier

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you suffer from year-round allergies to dust ones, Summer weather is not your friend. The air gets full of moisture, which dust mites love. Since those little buggers require 50 percent humidity in order to thrive, you want to figure out how much humidity is in your home (especially your bedroom), and make sure the humidity is under that magic number. In order to figure that out, you'll want to pick up a hygrometer ($14.99), a neat device that measures the amount of humidity in the air. If the humidity is above 50 percent, then you'll need a dehumidifier ($199). The opposite of a humidifier, these little machines pull water out of the air decreasing the humidity in the room. Drier air definitely makes allergy symptoms less severe.

Do You Know About Dust?

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:15:00 -0700

I hate dust. Since it's everywhere, and I'm allergic, it makes me miserable. Plus if I think about how dust has little microscopic dust mites living in it, I get really creeped out.

Dust might seem like just annoyance, something you're always having to clean up, but knowing all about it will inspire you to clean. Take this quiz to see what I mean.

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Why Sudden Allergies in Adulthood?

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Many people live through childhood sleeping with their pet kitties on their pillows, rolling around on dust filled carpets, and collecting flowers and weeds to give to their moms. They do this without a sneeze or sniffle. Those same carefree kids grow up and when they hit their 20s, they suddenly develop allergies to all those things. What gives?

Allergies can develop at any age, and its prevalence in adults is rising. It's known as Adult-Onset Allergies and there are many theories as to why this happens. The most accepted reason is that nowadays babies' developing immune systems are not exposed to as many viruses, bacterium, and allergens as in the past due to wide use of antibiotics, vaccinations, cleaner food and water supply, better living conditions, and germ-a-phobe parents who don't let their kids roll around in dirt. When immune systems aren't faced with dust, pollen, and mold, they don't fully develop the ability to combat those allergens in the future. So in a way, being too careful and being protected against such allergens can actually cause children's immune systems to develop in an unbalanced way, which can make them hypersensitive to seemingly harmless substances in the future.

Allergies can also develop if you are exposed to allergens when your immune system is weakened. That's why pregnant women often develop allergies after they give birth.

Could your family history be to blame for allergies too? To find out read more.

Genetics can definitely play a role in developing allergies as an adult as well. Allergies to specific allergens are not necessarily inherited, but the general tendency to develop allergies can be traced back to your family. If one of your parents has allergies, then you have a one in three chance of developing allergies too.

Your age also has something to do with developing allergies. Since repeated exposure to certain allergens can cause an allergic reaction, it makes sense to develop allergies when you're older, as you've had more time to be in contact with dust, dander, mold, and pollen.

I guess I should be grateful that I lived without allergies for most of my life, but I get the sniffles now when all the flowers start to bloom. What about you? Are you all of a sudden allergic to your pet or do you get a runny nose as soon as the pollen count climbs?

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How to Deal With Seasonal Allergies, Asthma and Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Tis the season for seasonal allergies – ragweed, mold (from soggy leaves) and dust mites galore! When you suffer from itchy eyes and throat, sneezing, runny nose, or allergy induced-asthma, exercising your body is far from top on your list. Here are some tips to help allergy sufferers still get in a workout.

As beautiful as it is outside, you're better off exercising inside. When you huff and puff while doing cardio outside, you're only inhaling the allergens that are bothering you. Join a gym or use your home treadmill or elliptical to keep up with your cardio.
Take your allergy medicine as directed. Even if you're not having symptoms, when taken daily, many of those prescriptions help to prevent attacks if and when your body does come in contact with enemy allergens. Those meds can control your symptoms before they start.

Want to hear the other tips? Then read more

I got this great tip from my allergist: If you have asthma, and you use a rescue inhaler like Albuterol, take a puff or two before you do any cardio. It'll allow you to take deeper breaths, and may prevent an asthma attack.
If you are prone to asthma attacks, keep your inhaler close by while you workout, just in case you need it.
Try to breath through your nose while exercising, since the nose hairs act as a natural filter. Is your nose is stuffed, take a steamy shower before working out, or try using a neti pot to clear out any mucus.
If your symptoms are really bad, do some light exercise inside like a fitness DVD, yoga, weight lifting, or walking on a treadmill.

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Health Tip: Buy New Pillows

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I just want to remind you of a disgustingly true fact. Dust mites live off the dead skin cells that you shed. So guess where they love to lurk? In your bed. Yup, as you sleep, your skin sloughs off and works its way down into your mattresses and pillows. If the air in your room is humid (which in the warm weather it most likely is), dust mites get into your bed and your pillows and happily multiply into large colonies.Your own body creates heat as you breathe and perspire, and they love that too. There can be as many as 30,000 tiny dust mites living in just 1 oz of dust, and you are allergic to their poop.

With that said, let me ask you this - Can you remember the last time you changed your pillows? If you can't, now is the time to buy some new ones.

If you don't already have them, you can pick up dust mite pillowcases ($16.95) and encase your new pillows in them. If you recently bought new pillows, you can still use these special pillowcases, since not only do they not allow dust mites to get into your pillow, but they'll trap existing dust mites as well.

Fit's Tips: You can also pick up dust mite mattress covers ($114.95 for Queen Size). They keep dust mites trapped and won't allow in new critters.

If you need some more inspiration, like a visual of these little critters - then read more

This image just makes me itch all over. Yes it is magnified a bunch! But still...makes me want to get new pillows. How about you? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Allergies and Humidity

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Allergies are the worst. You know what I'm talking about if you suffer from itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

Summer can be one of the worst times of the year because so many things are growing. It also gets really hot and humid, so I want to know...

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Fight Allergies With the Rhino Horn

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

For a lot of people, seasonal allergies are all about congestion, sneezing, and blowing your nose every 2 minutes. You are breathing in a ton of pollen and if you're allergic, your body creates all that mucus to try and flush it out.

To get rid of the pollen and dust in your nostrils, relieve some of the pressure in your face, and release some of that fluid from you nose and sinuses, you've got to try using a neti pot. Once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Need more specific instructions? Then read more

Here's what to do:

Fill the neti pot with (finely ground) sea salt - check the directions on your neti pot to find out how much.
Now fill halfway with warm water (not too hot or cold - that'll HURT) and cover both ends with your hands and squish around the water to dissolve the salt. You can also use a spoon to mix in the salt.
Fill up the rest, hold the neti pot in your right hand, and lean over the sink. Make sure you have the correct head position - you want your face parallel with the sink. Then gently place the spout in your right nostril, and tilt your face to the right so your left cheek is pointing down.
Keeping your mouth open, allow the warm water to gently flow through your right nostril, and out your left. If water is dripping down your throat, tilt your forehead down a little.
Stop when you've done half the water. Then take short, quick exhalations out your nose to get rid of the extra water, and then blow your nose with a tissue. Then do the other side.
If you are really congested, repeat the whole process again.

Fit's Tips: Once you get the hang of this, try doing it in the shower. It saves time, and the steam from the shower helps relieve nasal congestion even more.

There are many different kinds of neti pots, and most health food stores sell them. The Rhino Horn (12.95) is my absolute favorite neti pot because it's made of plastic, so you don't have to worry about it breaking (I've cracked two of the porcelain ones, and broken the spout off one metal one already).

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Testing For Allergies - No Need for the Pricks?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:45:00 -0700

If you ever thought you had allergies, I bet you've been through the awful skin test at the Allergist's office. The test includes about 40 pricks on your back, injecting you with tiny amounts of certain allergens such as dust, cat dander, and pollen. Then they wait about 20 minutes to see how your body reacts. If your skin creates a swollen bump, much like a mosquito bite, then the doctor knows what you are allergic to. If your skin doesn't react, the doctor would proceed to give you 12 more pricks containing more potent formulas of the same allergens - 6 on each arm. These allergens are injected deeper into you arms, than the pricks on your back. OUCH!!

I can tell you from firsthand experience, that the test is NO FUN. The appointment can take upwards of 3 hours. The skin test definitely isn't ideal by any means, but for a while, it was the only test available.
There's actually another much less traumatic test that can be used. It is a blood test - 1 prick - looking for immunoglobulin E, or IgE.

I wish I knew about this when I was going through my allergy testing. Want to know why I didn't? Then read more

The reason this easier, less painful blood test is not used more could be a money issue. If an allergist performs the skin test, they get paid. If they have to send your blood away to a lab, then the lab gets paid. Allergists also feel that the lab isn't as qualified to interpret the blood test. Hopefully these issues will be resolved soon making the blood test more readily available.

This test will change the lives of all those who know they have allergies, but fear the skin test ordeal to pin point their allergies. Most people just mask their symptoms with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines.

Fit's Tips: Since Spring is just around the corner (read tomorrow) and it is a season loaded with pollen, you might consider getting tested if you think you have allergies. Ask if your allergist provides the blood test if the dreaded skin test is all that is stopping you.

Weekend Well-Being: Spring Cleaning Head-Start

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Now that we set the clocks ahead, and the snow is beginning to melt, why not get started on your Spring cleaning a little early this year? The weekend is a great time because most people aren't working and have a few hours they can devote to it.

Not only will you feel a sense of calmness because your home will be clean, de-cluttered and organized, but cleaning can burn 200-300 calories per hour (depending how intensely you clean).

Here are some Spring cleaning ideas. You don't have to do them all, but you'll feel much better if you could get to at least one.

Open the windows and get some fresh air pumping through your home. It'll be good for your lungs to replace that stale dry air with a fresh breeze.
Vacuum under the beds and other furniture. Dust loves to collect in dark areas that see little traffic, so if it has been a while, you might find entire dust bunny colonies.
Dust and get rid of cob-webs. Doesn't it just amaze you how much of a dusty build-up can crop-up on your shelves, on top of the fridge, on your ceiling, on your TV screen, and behind doors? If you have allergies to dust like me, I like to use a wet washcloth or sponge - that way you can re-use it till you get everything dust-free, and it allows less dust to fly around like when you sweep.

Want to see some other ideas? Then read more

If you have carpets or big area rugs, rent a steam cleaner to really get rid of dust, pet dander, dirt, and tiny food particles. It'll disgust you to see what comes up.
If you have curtains over windows, take them down and wash them. They are great dust collectors because they hardly ever get cleaned. You can also wash blinds and windowsills - they tend to get really dirty and stained with mildew, which isn't good for you to breathe.
Wash the inside of your kitchen garbage can. Lots of times you'll find moldy food at the bottom (eww).
De-clutter and organize one area in your house that you've been meaning to get to, whether it be your closet, the refrigerator, or the basement. Throw out things you haven't used in the past year. Less stuff means less to clean and organize.

Do you have any other ideas? I'd love to hear about them, so tell me below.

What's in Your Pillow?

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:27:09 -0800

So I've already told you the ugly truth behind Dust Bunnies and if you suffer from allergies to this not so cute problem, you really should re-evaluate your pillow situation.

How long have you had your pillow? Consider this: After about 10 years about 10% of your pillow's weight comes not from the fluffy stuffing, but from dust mites, mold, fungus and bacteria. Gross, huh?

Try these tips to keep your pillows:

Replace all household pillows (even those in guest rooms) every three years.
Wash your pillows in the washing machine on hot and then throw then in the dryer. Drying immediately is important to stop any mold growth.
Storing pillows in attics (basements, storage lockers, etc) is not the best idea as dark damp places are breeding grounds for allergens.
Try to keep pillows off the floor, dust bunnies and mites congregate on the floor (especially hard wood floors).
Consider buying a pillow encasing like SatinSoft Supreme Allergy Pillow Cover ($8.99). Buy them on the National Allergy Website.

Fit's Tip: Next time you start a pillow fight, imagine accidentally busting open a 10 year old pillow on your best friend's head. Ewwwww.