Allergens

Allergy season is here for many people around the nation and even though the spike in sneezing, coughing, runny noses and other symptoms might make you feel like it's time to purchase allergy medication or install a medical-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus, another condition could be to blame. 

Even though a reported one in five Americans has allergies or asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, colds cause similar side effects. Knowing the difference between the two ailments might ensure people get the relief they really need. 

The experts at Men's Health magazine recently broke down both conditions to help people figure out which issue is leaving them feeling groggy. When it comes to allergies, looking for patterns is key. For example, if you get congestion, itchy eyes and a cough at the same time each year, it's more likely that you are inflicted with seasonal allergies than a cold. However, more research has shown that even people in their 50s can suddenly develop allergies, so talking with a doctor when symptoms come on is a great idea. 

According to the news outlet, common colds share similar symptoms with allergies, though most people tend to be sicker when they have a cold rather than allergies. Cold patients might feel more run down or achy and could have more mucus or running noses than their counterparts with environmental issues like ragweed. 

Asthma is a common respiratory condition affecting approximately 18.9 million American adults and 7.1 million children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Though tools such as inhalers or medical-grade air purifiers like the IQAir HealthPro Plus in the home can curb asthma's effects, new information highlights how much of a role the weather plays in incidents. 

WSOCTV 9 reports that the temperature swing occurring in many parts around the U.S. is leading to major issues for people with asthma. Dr. Thomas Humphries, a local Charlotte, N.C., physician, told the news station that changes in temperature, or going from hot to cold or vice versa in a short period of time, can trigger issues with the lungs. 

According to Humphries a simple act of leaving a warm home and hitting the pavement on a jog in slightly colder weather can lead to asthma complications, while a stretch of early warm weather can spark spring allergies and pollen, thus kicking asthma issues into high gear. 

The physician points out that people with asthma may experience early symptoms of an attack during the spring months that include day and nighttime coughing, wheezing or a heaviness in the chest. 

Most parents will do anything to keep their children healthy, though advice from a new study might come as a bit of a shock to new moms and dads. Scientists from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recently published work in the journal Pediatrics stating that parents might be able to help their babies avoid getting eczema and asthma by cleaning off their pacifiers with their mouths. 

Researchers tested this idea by recruiting 184 Swedish parents and their babies. During trials, half of the group cleaned their infants' pacifiers off with their mouths, while the second group washed them off with water. From the data, scientists found babies in the saliva group were "significantly less likely" to develop either eczema or asthma than their peers whose pacifiers were cleaned with water.

Bill Hesselmar, lead author of the study, told NPR the benefits may lie in the microbiome, or bacteria that live in the parents' bodies, since their bacteria may be able to change that of their babies.

"We think that these bacteria ... stimulate the immune system," Hesselmar told the radio station.

According to the American Lung Association, more than 7 million kids under the age of 18 are already afflicted with asthma. Even though parents might not be able to help them avoid the issue now, they can help them cope better with the condition by investing in a medical-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus for the home.

It's no secret that allergies and asthma are two of the most common conditions people of all ages face.  However, helping youngsters find relief is growing even more important since in 2010, approximately 10 percent of all children under the age of 17 experienced some allergy symptoms. 

Allergy shots have become more popular in recent years to help curb the side effects of seasonal allergies and asthma. Despite the benefits, a new review in the journal Pediatrics, found allergy-relief oral drops could be just as effective, without the pain.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center discovered the results after reviewing a total of 13 studies involving more than 900 children who all had either the allergy shot, standard allergy medication or a placebo. They then cross-referenced these results with another 18 trials involving more than 1,500 kids who had either oral drops, a placebo or standard asthma medication. Overall, the scientists found the shots worked better than the other methods in relieving allergy symptoms, while the oral drops helped provide more relief from allergies and asthma in comparison to placebos or standard medication. 

Though more trials need to be conducted to verify these results, parents might want to discuss oral drops with their child's doctor if he or she is dealing with allergies or asthma. Parents could also install a professional-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus to ensure kids breathe easy at home. 

Allergy season is in full swing around most of the nation and for the more than 50 million Americas who suffer from some form of allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it might be time to consider new ways to beat the symptoms. NBC affiliate WRCB recently spoke with Pamela Kelle, a food coach and registered dietitian, to discuss how food can play a role in keeping allergy side effects at bay. 

According to Kelle, consuming ample amounts of fresh produce is key in preventing inflammation and other issues caused by allergies. Berries and apples as well as leafy vegetables are the best options overall. 

"The property in the skin of the apple helps the body stop the histamines from causing inflammation factors," Kelle told the news outlet, adding fruits high in vitamin C are also beneficial. "That's going to be a lot of our fruit, blueberries, strawberries, things that have a lot of color, the brightest ones to help."

When it comes to allergy triggers, Kelle reports bananas and red peppers are among the biggest culprits, so those already starting to sneeze or cough due to allergies might want to stop eating these foods until the season has passed.

Even though eating certain foods could help curb allergy side effects, installing a medical-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus could help even more. 

Approximately one in 12 (25 million) people in the U.S. have asthma, and this number is predicted to increase annually, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Though inhalers and investing in air purifiers like the IQAir HealthPro Plus can help keep asthma symptoms at bay, treating patients for allergies as well might be an important step.

This is because a new study published in the April edition of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that people with asthma also tend to have allergies. Researchers came to this conclusion after reviewing results of a National Health and Nutrition Survey completed by more than 2,500 adults. 

From the data, scientists from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that a shocking 75 percent of asthma patients between the ages of 20 and 40, and 65 percent of participants with asthma aged 55 or older, were all also inflicted with at least one type of allergy. Researchers have yet to figure out what or if there is a link between asthma and allergies, though they're looking into the various issues that could be to blame. 

"It could be one of many creating this perfect storm for allergies," said Dr. Richard Weber, president of the ACAAI. "Other factors, such as the hygiene hypothesis, climate change and an increase in awareness and education can also be reasons for this growth."

Spring allergies come with some of the most annoying side effects. According to The Associated Press, allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, can result in symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy nose, a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes and itching on the roof of a sufferer's mouth. Many people around the U.S. with allergies opt to take medicine to help curb the symptoms, but there are actually other ways to ease side effects as well.

According to The Boston Globe, exercising could be beneficial in the fight against allergies. Working out will not only get people in shape for summer, it also helps boost their immune systems, thus making it easier for the body to ward off allergy symptoms. 

Getting acupuncture is another alternative way to combat allergy symptoms. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients gained some relief after undergoing 12 treatments over the course of eight weeks. Other options like using dripless nasal sprays have also been found to keep allergies at bay. 

Those who have tried both traditional and non-traditional ways to curb allergy symptoms with no luck might want to invest in a medical-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus to breathe easy at home. 

Allergies are among the most common chronic health issues in the U.S., as the condition accounts for more than 17 million outpatient doctor's visits a year, and limits activity for more than 40 percent of children with symptoms, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports. 

Even though there is no cure for allergies, a new study out of Sweden has discovered a potential link between fish and a lower chance of suffering from many of the condition's symptoms among children. Fox News reports scientists from the Institute of Environmental Medicine and the Department of Clinical Science and Education analyzed the diets of more than 3,000 children, specifically how much fish they consumed and their allergy risks.

Researchers discovered kids who ate at least two servings of fish a month were 75 percent less likely to have allergies in comparison to their peers who ate less or no fish in any given month. Even though more research needs to be conducted, the scientists involved believe it could be a good idea for parents of young children to incorporate more fish into their diets to reap the potential benefits. 

Families who already have young ones suffering from seasonal or other types of allergies can ensure they breathe better at home by installing an air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus.

Allergy season is in full swing around the nation and if you're one of the 50 million Americans reported to suffer from allergy symptoms, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, you could be triggering side effects without even realizing it.  The experts at Prevention magazine report there are a few common allergy triggers that few people know about.

Those affected by ragweed or grass allergies might be worsening their symptoms by picking up fresh produce at a farmers market. According to the magazine, eating a tasty apple, peach pear or melon from such places can trigger oral allergy syndrome, a condition in which your immune system mistakes proteins in these fruits for pollen. If your lips start tingling or itching, it might mean your allergies are in full force. 

Swimming is one of the best parts of summer, but perhaps not as great if you suffer from allergies. 

"Dramatic changes in temperature, such as jumping into a cold lake on a hot day, can trigger asthma," Dr. James L. Sublett told the news outlet. 

Instead of pencil diving into the water on a hot day, Sublett recommends gradually entering the body of water to help your immune system transition more smoothly. 

A great way to ward off allergies even more is to install a medical-grade air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus into your home to breathe easy while relaxing. 

When it comes to allergies, the odds are that at least one member of every family will be affected. In fact, WebMD reports a child with one parent who suffers from allergies has a 33 percent chance of developing the condition, while a child with two parents with allergies has a 70 percent chance of feeling the effects of changing seasons.

There may be no way to fully ward off allergies, but there are ways to curb its effects. Allergist Neil Kao recently discussed options for reducing itchy eyes, runny noses and more in Greenville News. According to Kao, limiting outdoor exposure during the peak allergy season is the best way to keep symptoms at bay. Keeping windows and doors shut, despite wanting to let in the warm weather is another must - since pollen and other allergens travel through the air. Making sure to give Fido a bath more frequently than usual is an important step as well - the same particles that travel through the air can easily get trapped in his coat.

Tips like these are helpful in keeping family members allergy-free, but those looking to do more might want to consider installing professional-grade air purifiers into their homes. An option like the Airgle PurePal Plus AG850 will help trap allergens and dust, allowing people to breathe easy in any season.