Avoiding Triggers: Spring Allergy and Asthma

A Real-life Story:

Spring means asthma and allergy triggers for patients at FLASS . The little five year old girl came came running to her mother’s arms. She was gasping and wheezing. Her eyes were completely swelled shut and her nose was a moist bulb of red.

She waved a fist of wild-flowers at her mother, and sobbed between her wheezes. “It hit me!” The mother, who knew allergy and asthma and triggers when she saw them, said “What, what hit you, darling?”

“Thring,” she gasped in dismay. It’s Thringtime, coughed the little girl. “Oh,” said the mother, “You mean spring?”

“Yes,” cried the child, “Thring! Spring–It hit me in the chest!” “T–t-tigers.”

“No, dear, triggers, and we will learn to deal with them.”

Whether you are the child, or the concerned parent, you might find great misery in the beautiful season of spring. Let’s face it: for some of us, Spring hurts.

With pollen and mold, it is difficult to face going outdoors. Plus, some of that same stuff followed the little girl indoors and, chances are, it will float right into your living room, too.

Today, the FLASS blog focuses on outdoor allergy and asthma triggers and how to deal with them in the Spring.

Avoid Inevitable Spring Allergy and Asthma Triggers

As you might have guessed, the above story is biographical, referring to this blogger’s first memorable allergy and asthma attack. Fortunately my mother, a registered nurse, took me to the doctor’s for diagnosis and treatment. Avoiding triggers can be difficult in the spring.

In addition, she also followed many of these time-honored little tips for making life more comfortable in spite of the Triggers on the loose!

1. Keep Count: Today, we can track pollen closer than in any previous generation.

“Track the pollen count. Several online sites provide up-to-date information on local pollen counts. Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is very high.”

2. About Vacations: When a family suffers with pollen allergies, they are most sensitive on hot, dry, and windy days. Plan family trips at cooler times.

(You can’t always arrange it, but after a nice summer rain is the best time to be outside.)

3. Time of Day: Ah! Morning sunshine–This is NOT a good thing if you have allergies. “Pollen counts are highest in the morning, so plan outdoor activities for later in the day.”

4. Lawn Chores: At FLASS we highly discourage anyone with asthma, allergies or lung conditions from getting on or behind a lawn mower. Another allergy-free member of the family, a pro-service or a friend should mow the lawn. When a patient must mow the lawn, a mask should be worn as well as protective glasses.

Highly sensitive individuals should use a “respirator mask with a HEPA filter. (Ask your doctor which you should use.)

5. Caution! A less well known tip is for a patient to toss their clothes into the washer and take a shower immediately after being outdoors.

6. Shoe Tip! Likewise, leave shoes on the porch or at least clean them off well before entering the house. You might not want the dusty stuff that tracks ionto the rug to end up in your lungs.