Books : What's in the Air? : Excerpts

Contents

INTRODUCTION: The Allergy Boom and the Hygiene Hypothesis

PART I
An Allergy Primer

1. WHY YOU ARE ALLERGIC

Defining Allergens
THE MAIN INHALED ALLERGENS

The Genetic Setup
THE IGE MOLECULE
SENSITIZATION AND EXPOSURE TO ALLERGENS

The One-Two Punch of an Allergic Response

The Age When Allergies Begin

Allergic Rhinitis (a.k.a. Hay Fever)
HOW YOUR NOSE WORKS
WHY YOU SNEEZE

Do You Have an Allergy or Just a Hyperactive Nose?
NONALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic Conjunctivitis

The First Step to Relief: Keep a Symptom Diary

Some Risk Factors You Can Change

Allergy Checklist

2. POLLEN AND THE MATING SEASONS OF PLANTS

Tree Pollen: It Doesn't Take a Forest
BIRCH TREES
THE MIGHTY OAK
ELM TREES
CEDAR TREES
EVERGREENS IN NEW ENGLAND
LESS ABUNDANT POLLINATORS

Grass Pollen: Fields of Allergens
BLUEGRASS
TIMOTHY GRASS
BERMUDA GRASS

Ragweed: The King of Pollens
Other Bad Weeds
SAGEBRUSH
TUMBLEWEED
DOCK WEED

How the Weather Affects Airborne Allergens
IS GLOBAL WARMING CHANGING THE POLLEN SEASON?

The Effect of Ozone and Pollution
DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICLES
MORE TRAFFIC AND MORE RAGWEED POLLEN
PARTICULATE MATTER

Allergy Checklist

3. STRATEGIES FOR MINIMIZING YOUR EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE POLLEN

Know When to Go Out and When to Come In

More Prevention Tips
WEAR A MASK
STAY IN YOUR SHADES
WEAR NATURAL FIBERS
EXERCISE INDOORS OR BEFORE SUNRISE
IN THE GARDEN

What the Pollen Count Really Means

Avoid Foods that Cross-React with Pollen

Allergy Checklist

4. MOLD SPORES: AIRBORNE MOST OF THE TIME
THE VARIED LIFE OF MOLD SPORES

How to Find Out If You Are Allergic to Mold
TESTING FOR MOLD

Getting Rid of Mold: Lower the Humidity
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
INSIDE THE HOUSE
SOME MOLD BUSTERS
IF YOU BUY A DEHUMIDIFIER
GET SOME PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Toxic Molds Are Not Allergens
FOOD MOLD IS NOT AN ALLERGEN

Allergy Checklist

5. DUST MITES: THE PERENNIAL SCOURGE
SEPARATING DUST MITES FROM DUST

Banishing the Skin Eaters
BEGIN WITH A NEW PILLOW
STOP SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY
BARE YOUR FLOORS
OTHER UPHOLSTERED PLACES
MAKE THE CAR CAREFREE

Bigger Bad Bugs: Cockroaches
WAYS TO KEEP ROACHES OUT

Allergy Checklist

6. CATS AND DOGS AND OTHER FURRY CRITTERS

IIt's Not the Dander or the Fur
MALE CATS ARE WORSE
CAT ALLERGY WITHOUT A CAT

If You Won't Give Up Your Pet
KEEP THE PET OUT OF THE BEDROOM
KEEP THE LITTER BOX FAR AWAY
GIVE YOUR CAT A BATH -- VERY CAREFULLY
ONCE THE CAT HAS GONE

The Hairless Dog Theory

Little Rodents, Big Allergens

Birds of a Feather
ISOLATE THE CAGE
A BIRD'S BATH

Horse Allergy

Allergy Checklist

PART II
How Your Doctor Can Help You

7. WHEN YOU NEED AN ALLERGIST

How to Find an Allergist
WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR
TELLING YOUR ALLERGY STORY
PHYSICAL EXAMS AND TESTS

When You Need Allergy Tests
PRICK TESTS
BLOOD (RAST) TEST
INTRADERMAL TEST

Allergy Checklist

8. THE RIGHT MEDICATION AT THE RIGHT TIME

The Priming Effect

Nasal Steroid Sprays

INTRANASAL IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE (ATROVENT)
INTRANASAL CROMOLYN (NASALCROM)
SIDE EFFECTS
USING NASAL SPRAYS CORRECTLY

Antihistamines
NONSEDATING AND LIGHTLY SEDATING ANTIHISTAMINES
SIDE EFFECTS
OVER-THE-COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINES
PRESCRIPTION ANTIHISTAMINES

Decongestants

Medications for Treating Allergic Conjunctivitis
EYE DROPS
OPHTHALMIC PREPARATIONS FOR ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS
USING EYE DROPS CORRECTLY

Pregnancy and Allergy Medications
IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER
PREGNANCY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY

Alternative Allergy Remedies Are Not Proven

Allergy Checklist

9. IMMUNOTHERAPY: THE CLOSEST THING TO A CURE

How It Works
GRADUALLY BUILDING IMMUNITY

Are You a Candidate?
WILL YOU PERSEVERE?
WHICH ALLERGIES RESPOND BEST?
WILL YOU REMAIN IMMUNE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
THE COSt

New Treatments in the Works

Allergy Checklist

PART III
The Allergic Person's Survival Guide

10. WHEN YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO YOUR JOB

Occupational Rhinitis and Asthma
AIRBORNE LATEX PARTICLES
THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS
ARE YOU AT RISK?
HOW TO KNOW: DIAGNOSIS
AVOIDANCE IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
TIPS FROM NIOSH (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH)
CROSS-REACTIONS WITH FOODS
EMERGENCY TREATMENT

Allergy Checklist

11. HELPING YOUR CHILD COPE WITH ALLERGIES

All in the Family -- or Not

Dust Mites
YOUR CHILD'S BEDROOM

Avoid Having Pets

Working with Your Pediatrician and Allergist
MEDICATIONS AND CHILDREN

Middle Ear Disease (Otitis Media)

The Link to Asthma

Information That Children Can Use

Allergy Checklist

12. AIR MANAGEMENT 101: MAKING YOUR HOME ALLERGEN-FREE

Clarify Your Goal