allergies / EDUCATION
Autumn tips for hay fever Keep your patients sneeze and wheeze-free this autumn
J
ust when everyone’s gotten used to their
“Autumn can arrive with bad allergy symptoms,” said
summer routine the temperature dips slightly
allergist Dr Bradley Chipps, president of the American
and before we know it, it’s time to start thinking
College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. “Many
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about how to keep autumn allergies at bay. But
people don’t realise if they spend time preparing now,
the good news for patients is if they start planning now,
they won’t get hit as hard with sneezing, runny noses,
their allergy symptoms will likely be much less severe,
and itchy eyes when autumn allergies descend with full
and they’ll be able to enjoy the beauty the autumn
force. It’s a matter of planning ahead for what you know
season brings.
is coming based on your past experiences.”
{ FOUR PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP PATIENTS KEEP AUTUMN ALLERGIES AT BAY {
The coming of autumn doesn’t
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Autumn leaves may be
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If a child suddenly seems to have
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automatically mean cool weather.
gorgeous, but once they’ve
a constant runny nose, itchy eyes,
most prominent pollen, or another type,
With global warming, unseasonably
fallen, they begin to gather
a cough, and sneezing, they could
keeping pollen out of their life means
warm weather for longer periods of
mould, an allergen that thrives
be dealing with allergens in their
patients will experience fewer allergy
time is no longer a rare occurrence.
in autumn. In addition to
classroom. Children can be allergic
symptoms. Some simple “housekeeping”
Mild temperatures along with rain
leaves, mould can be found
to dust in classrooms, or there
tips can help. When they come in from
can promote plant and pollen
anywhere there is water –
might be pollen coming in through
outside, patients should safeguard
growth, while wind accompanying
including in the backyard, in
open windows. And don’t forget
against pollen coming in with them.
rainfall can stir pollen and mould into
a field of uncut grass, and in
about mould – often found in
Simple steps would be to leave their
the air, heightening symptoms for
clogged gutters. For patients
bathrooms and locker rooms – as
shoes at the door and throw clothes in
autumn allergy sufferers. Because
allergic to mould, the key to
well as dander from pets that other
the washing machine. Showering and
autumn allergies may start earlier
reducing it is moisture control.
children may bring in on clothing
washing hair in the evening before bed will
and last longer, it’s important for
Explain that they need to clean
and backpacks. If a child seems
ensure they’re not sleeping with pollen,
patients to begin taking their allergy
standing water anywhere they
to have symptoms that came on
getting it on their pillow and in their nose.
medications at least two weeks
find it. They can also help ward
around the time school started,
If possible, recommend patients keep
before their symptoms normally
off mould by cleaning gutters
encourage parents to make an
windows closed in both their home and
start. And they shouldn’t stop their
regularly and keeping home
appointment with an allergist. An
car and instead run the air-conditioner.
medications until pollen counts have
humidity below 60%.
allergist can set their child on the
They should also monitor pollen and
been down for about two weeks –
right track, for the long term, to
mould counts online to determine when
usually after the first frost.
handle their allergies or asthma.
it’s best to stay inside.
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IT ISN’T COLD ENOUGH TO BE AUTUMN
BEAUTIFUL LEAVES + MOULD = MISERY
ALLERGIES AND SCHOOL
DODGING POLLEN MEANS DODGING SYMPTOMS
Whether it’s ragweed, which is autumn’s
PM
TO MONITOR SA'S POLLEN COUNTS VISIT WWW.POLLENCOUNT.CO.ZA
Pharmacy Magazine APRIL 2020 |
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