Allergy Advice

BEING HEALTHY BEGINS AT HOME

Millions of people suffer year-round from allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens found at home¹. If it's not possible to completely avoid an allergen, there are things you can do to decrease your exposure. Here are some steps you can take to avoid contact with allergens and irritants so you can start enjoying life again.²

Dust Mites:²

- Put special dust-proof covers on pillows, mattresses and box springs
- Avoid rubber or kapok-stuffed bedding
- Limit stuffed animals in bedrooms

Pets:²

- Keep your pet outdoors as much as possible, or restrict them to a few rooms in the house. At the very least, keep your pet outside  the bedroom
- Bathe your pet weekly and ensure to wash hands after petting

Mold:²

- Clean bathrooms, kitchens, and basements regularly and keep them well aired
- Do not use humidifiers

Cockroaches:²

- Keep your kitchen clean and wash dishes promptly
- Make sure all food is stored in sealed containers
- Empty bins frequently
- Set roach traps and seal cracks to prevent infestation

Irritants:²

- Avoid tobacco and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home or car. if you do, try to quit
- Stay away from strong odours like perfume, hair spray and paint
- Protect your nose and mouth from cold air with a scarf
- Wash hands frequently to prevent colds and infections

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE CLASS STARTS

- Your child’s school should be informed of any allergies. If your child has asthma or a severe allergy, give a copy of your child’s action plan to the school nurse or the administrative office.³
- Also, discuss your child’s access to medication, including epinephrine (adrenaline), in case of an emergency.³

Food safety:

- Be sure all those caring for or teaching your child are aware of the food allergy action plan and when/how to use medication to treat symptoms.⁴
- If your child has food allergies, teach them which foods they must avoid and what these foods look like.⁴

Asthma and physical education:

- Asthma symptoms during exercise may indicate poor control, so be sure that your child is taking controller asthma medications on a regular basis.³
- Children with asthma and other allergic diseases should be able to participate in any sport the child chooses, provided the doctor’s advice is followed.³

Claritine™ is not indicated in patients with asthma, please consult your physician or pharmacist for medical advice in such cases.⁵

Dust irritation:

- If needed, your child may need to sit away from the blackboard to avoid irritation from chalk dust.³

TRAVEL, BUT DON’T LET ALLERGIES GO FAR

Don’t let your relaxing break become a harrowing adventure. Many don’t travel outside the country and others avoid certain types of transportations such as planes and boats.⁶

Prepare Your First-Aid Travel Kit To Travel Safe And Healthy:⁶

- If you’re traveling by airplane, always hand-carry your medications. Do not put medications in checked luggage
- Hand-carry your auto-injectable epinephrine 
- Keep your doctor’s phone number or other emergency contact information on-hand
- If you’re traveling to a foreign country, consider carrying a card that explains in the local language what foods you can’t eat 

AHEAD OF YOUR ALLERGIES

Allergy testing is important to know what you’re allergic to and what you can do about it.⁷

FOOD ALLERGIES⁸

- Carefully check ingredient labels of food products
- Learn whether what you need to avoid is known by other names
- Your physician may order skin-prick tests, blood tests, in some cases a physician will recommend an oral food challenge
- Medications may be prescribed to treat symptoms of a food allergy

Claritine™ is not indicated in patients with food allergies, please consult your physician or pharmacist for medical advice in such cases.⁵

Allergic rhinitis²

- Put special dust-proof covers on pillows, mattresses and box springs
- Clean floors with a damp rag or mop, rather than dry-dusting or sweeping
- Keep windows closed during pollen season, especially during the day
- Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize the amount of pollen getting into your eyes
- Take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothing after working or playing outdoors.
- Wash hands after petting your cat or dog

Hives⁹

- Avoid known triggers like pet dander, insect stings, bacterial infection etc.
- See a physician, who will look for triggers to your hives & may recommend medications to prevent the hives or reduce the severity of symptoms
- The doctor will suggest a treatment available only by prescription or an over the counter treatment depending on several factors, including how uncomfortable the hives are making you.