I have a sever allergy every day, and it gets worst by the day. I take an Tylenol Allergy Complete once a day and lately if i take it at night, in the morning i have to take it again.

I sneeze alot and my eye get watery and I cannot breath. It is terrible and I wish it could just go away. I live in Puerto Rico and the weather is always hot. — Sol Maria, Puerto Rico

Spring is the season when we throw back the curtain of winter and welcome a bright new start. Not only do we feel the urge to dig and plant outside; we want to dig out from clutter winter has imposed upon us inside too. As we freshen our homes, let’s also remember to clear out indoor allergens that have accumulated over winter.

If anyone should know how to do that, it is Katie Weaver. Katie grew up with allergies. Katie writes:

I am so glad that Americans are thinking of ways to make homes and living environments healthier. After all, when my dad worked to make our home more allergy-friendly, it drastically reduced my allergic symptoms. There are lots of simple solutions to make a healthier home, and should you want or need to hire outside service companies for cleaning or remediation, be sure that they are reputable and doing their job in the healthiest way possible.

Katie’s father used the things he had learned while helping Katie to start his own company that helps others with allergies. In 1991, when I first got into the allergy nursing field, National Allergy was in it’s infancy. But I learned from them. I’d often hold one of their patient education flyers in one hand and the phone receiver in the other as I helped a patient with allergy symptoms. A few years ago, National Allergy became one of our sponsors here at AllergyNursing.com. Today I still go to their website to look up info to help patients. I’ve learned that I can trust them to recommend only the best products and services. With all the scams and price gougers out there, that means a lot to me!

So for those who could use a little help with Spring allergy cleaning, I’m proud to recommend editor Katie Weaver’s May 2006 issue of National Allergy e-mail newsletter: Home Service Companies - Avoiding Scams and Getting the Most for Your Money.

Allergy sufferers in all climates have a common sound in the Spring. Spring is often dubbed the “Sneezin’ Season.”

People are so used to the sound of a sneeze that even the loudest “Achooooo!” rarely gets much attention. How long has it been since you saw heads turn to see who sneezed behind them during a formal lecture? But try singing or whistling ever so softly during the lecture and see what happens! So, since the sneeze is so acceptable, how should you do it?

If you thought stiffling the sneeze to lessen attention and the spread of germs is the way to go, think again. Baylor University published an item this week that praises the lowly sneeze and explains the proper technique! See:
Allergy Sufferers Should Bless Sneezing

According to the Baylor article, “The person doing the sneezing, more often than the amount or kind of irritant, determines if the sneeze comes out as a gale-force windstorm or several small ach-oos.” Click the link above to discover the best way to do it and the dangers of doing it wrong!

I have moved back to NC. When I was here 2 years ago, I had severe allergies. We lived in florida for two years and I was fine. Now that we are back, not only do I have allergies, but I also have burning in my mouth and throat. I even get red patches on the corners of my lips. Is this related? The doctor treated me with antiobiotics, with no relief. It comes and goes, usually worse after I eat. Can you help me. — Sandra, North Carolina

Traditionally, it has been felt that the cleaner, the better. For example, see:
Spring cleaning can help keep allergies in check.

Now there is new research. See:
Allergy Alert: Too clean is not good
and:
To head off allergies, expose your kids to pets and dirt early. Really.

But most still agree that if your child has asthma and allergies already, you need to limit their exposure to the things they are allergic to. At our clinic, we still recommend making the bedroom an ‘allergy-free zone’ for those with environmental allergies.

This item, provided by one of our AllergyNursing.com sponsors, shows how to do that step-by-step:
Interactive Allergy-Proof Bedroom