Do you want to know if you are allergic or have an
allergy related disease?
Just answer the questions below:
1) Have you noticed in the past 6 months any symptom
such as: sneezing, nasal obstruction, or runny nose as if you had a cold?
2) During those 6 months, have those nasal symptoms
come followed by itchy and watery eyes?
3) For the past 12 months, have you had nasal
secretion followed by jawbone and frontal headache?
4) Have you ever had trouble breathing for the past
12 months without having a cold?
5) Have you ever gotten breathless associated with
whistling noise when you breathe (wheezing)?
In the event you have answered “yes” to questions 1
and 2, you have respiratory symptoms1 possibly associated to allergic rhinitis2;
In case you have answered “yes” to question 3, you
might be a sinusitis carrier;
In case you have answered “yes” to questions 4 and 5,
you might be an asthma carrier.
This questionnaire is just indicative and under no
circumstance substitutes medical consultation.
Have I got an allergy or flu?
Some symptoms such as obstructed nose, sneezing,
itchy eyes, nose and throat, are not just originated from allergies, as they can
also be a sign of flu. The flu is caused by viruses and the symptoms usually
disappear after a few days, different from the allergies. It is very usual to
see allergic patients that before finding out about their disease, used to
believe that they had a "constant flu". The allergic reactions start
to act while the person is exposed to certain proteins, for example, the airborne allergens – airborne substances
responsible for the appearance of inflammatory reactions susceptible
individuals.
Other substances can be so irritating that they can aggravate the
inflammatory process, like strongodors, toxic Ozone, and sometimes just cold air.
Toxic Ozone is not only present in the atmospheric layer protecting Earth from the UV
rays but also in the environment that we live. In this case, toxic Ozone
can cause irreversible damage to the lungs, besides causing asthmatic crisis.
Main
airborne allergens
Dust Mite allergens. The house dust mites are usually
found in mattresses and couches. Their main food sources are fungus and human
skin flakes. The dust mite allergens are found in their skeletons and
especially in their fecal matter. Because they are so light weighted, those allergens
are thrown in the air after any movement in the environment.
Mould is a kind of fungus that throws spores in the
air which are their reproductive structures, invisible to the naked eye
that when inhaled, may be responsible to trigger allergic reactions and in some
cases, even infections.
Pet Dander.
The allergy causing substances and mostly found in
pet’s oil glands, skin and saliva. They are small sized proteins that
might stay airborne for hours or even days. Besides, they are easily
transported between environments, this way they can be found in places where
there are no animals[3]. Many researches relate asthmatic crisis to the
presence of pet dander in homes[3],[4].
Pollen
Allergens.
Pollen may cause seasonal rhinitis which occurs in a
determined period of the year. Usually it may appear in Spring time, when the
flowers bloom. The pollen is extremely light weighted and disperses itself
through the air. When inhaled it may deposit itself on the nasal mucous the
existing proteins of the grains may trigger allergic reactions [5] In other
words, the allergic rhinitis is characterized by nasal inflammation after exposure
to the allergens [2]. On the other hand, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease
that leads to the obstruction of the respiratory airways [6]. Studies demonstrate
that the allergic rhinitis usually precedes asthma and that about 38% of the
people who have rhinitis also suffer from asthma[7]. In the case of sinusitis,
it may be said that it is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the
nasal mucus, which leads to obstruction, pain and a pressure feeling on the cheeks.
It may also be caused due to infections caused by viruses, bacteria infections,
or allergic reactions [8].
Knowledge
Did you know that some dust mite and fungus are
intimately related? Laboratory tests suggest that some dust mites species
can not survive in the absence of fungus[10]. Fungus other than being a food
source for dust mites they are also responsible for the pre digesting of human
skin flakes [11].
How to
improve the quality of life of one allergic person
Allergies and its inconvenient symptoms are
responsible for the reduction the quality of life and even loss of productivity at
school and work[2]. The main way to avoid allergies is to prevent allergens to be inhaled
by people. For that to occur, two measures need to be taken: to treat the air
(contamination means) and to fight contamination sources.
These are some important tips:
1- When washing bed sheets try to do it using hot
water every 7 days, in order to eliminate the dust mites; 2- If possible, use anti-dust mite covers on mattresses
and pillows and avoid feather pillows and comforters; 3- In there is presence of mildew, use a 1 part of
chlorine for each 4 parts of water solution for cleaning. Do not mix chlorine
based products with ammonia based products. The mixture liberates toxic gases; 4- Clean up all mildew stains that you find. If the
material is too porous and cannot be totally cleaned, throw it away; 5- Wait until the surfaces are completely dry before placing objects over it; 6- Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. This
measure will decrease humidity levels and reduces the installation of
germs; 7- Ventilate closed spaces like attics. In fact, the
relative humidity of any environment should always be kept below 50%, because
over that fungus, bacteria and dust mites will proliferate quicker. 8- Clean up the air conditioning system and
dehumidifiers on a regular basis, because those devices accumulate humidity and dirt
inside, helping fungus and bacteria growth. 9- When water damages occur like during floods, the
contaminated materials should be cleaned and dried within 24 hours; 10- Remove any allergic person from the room whenever
vacuum cleaning or changing bed sheets, because the quantity of dust
mites, fungus and bacteria in the air increase during the cleaning process; 11- Allergic people should avoid carpets because the vacuum cleaners cannot remove all dust mites and
fungus out of its woof; 12- Use Airfree air purifier to maintain a good air
quality level in the environment.
Airfree quietly, constantly, and efficiently purifies
the air which is the transmitting mean between the contamination sources and the
allergic person.
Airfree is the high efficiency air purifier that
reduces up to 99% of airborne microorganisms and allergens, besides educing in
26% the amount of Ozone, duly confirmed by many independent test reports
performed by Universities, Laboratories, and Institutions in several countries.
Efficient: Airfree is tested in real working environments with
people in them by credible ISO 17025 independent laboratories and universities
in several countries. Airfree destroys any microorganism such as mould spores,
bacteria, viruses, and dust mite allergens when passing through its patented
high efficiency thermo dynamic sterilizing ceramic core known as ThermoDyn
regardless of how hazardous and small they might be.
Silent: No sound emission.
Exclusive: Airfree uses just heat ThermoDyn technology to
destroy and incinerate airborne microorganisms. No fiber glass filters,
triclosan coated paper or any kind of material that can be harmful to those
operating or wasting it.
Ozone
Reduction: Airfree exclusive
ThermoDyn technology is the only one reducing ozone while destroying
microorganisms.
Economic: Airfree model electric consumption is lower that a
50W light bulb. No replacement parts required like filters that may cost
hundreds of dollars a year.
Easy Installation: Just place Airfree on the floor
and plug it into the nearest electric outlet. No need for maintenance or
special cleaning.
Bibliographical
References:
1- Graudenz GS, Oliveira CH, Tribess A, Mendes Jr C, Latorre
MRDO, Kalil J. Association of air-conditioning with respiratory symptoms in office
workers in tropical climate. Indoor Air 2005; 15: 62–66.
2- Walls RS, Heddle RJ, Tang ML, Basger BJ, Solley GO, Yeo
GT. Optimising the management of allergic rhinitis: an Australian perspective.
Med J Aust. 2005 Jan 3;182(1):28-33.
3- Peter B. Boggs. Indoor Allergen Control Measures: A
Practical Summary. Lesson 17, Volume 16. http://www.chestnet.org/education/online/abim/chart/vol16/lesson17/print.php.
4- Custovic A, Simpson A, Chapman MD, Woodcock A. Allergen
avoidance in the treatment of asthma and atopic disorders. Thorax 1998;53:63–72.
5- Esteves, PC, Rosário Filho NA, Tripia SG, Caleffe LG.
Prevalence of perenial and seasonal allergic rhinits with atopic sensitization to
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Lolium multiflorum in schoolchildren and adults in Curitiba. Revista
Brasileira de Alergia e Imunopatologia. 2000; 23(6):249-259.
6- Capítulo I - definição, epidemiologia, patologia e
patogenia. J. Pneumologia, jun. 2002, vol.28 supl.1, p.4-5.
7- Corren J. Allergic rhinitis and asthma: how important is
the link? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Feb;99(2):S781-6.
8- Evans KL. Diagnosis and management of sinusitis. BMJ.
1994 Nov 6;309(6966):1415-22.
9- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.zone.http://www.epa.gov/epahome/ozone.htm
10- Hay DB, Hart BJ, Douglas AE. Effects of the fungus
Aspergillus penicillioides on the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: an
experimental re-evaluation. Med Vet Entomol. 1993 Jul;7(3):271-4
11- .BAGGIO, D. CROCE, J.,ÁCAROS CONTAMINANTES DE
AMBIENTES E CAUSADORES DE DOENÇAS ALÉRGICAS NO HOMEM
