Just had 3rd sinus surgery- was on allergy shots for 10 years. looking for a place to retire- doctor said that the entire east coast is bad for me. This is because of weather changes and high pressure systems which stall out on the coast. any thoughts? – Submitted by Cval in Maryland
Weather Events & Disasters
Asthma in Michigan, Jordan, Middle East
I have just moved from Michigan to the country of Jordan in the Middle East. I had bad allergies to all the Michigan trees, mold, ect.. I thought I would be so great in the desert. Boy was I wrong. I wake up and my ears and nose are running. I have aquired this awful cough. Started having asthma type symptoms late at night, early morning. Wheezing. I had to go get a shot from the doctor. I live in a city where there are few trees. Just dirt. So I have read people in the desert are allergic to certain shrubs but I think it could be the dirt. The red dirt is awful. A mansoon in the desert sent a sand cloud over the city a while back and that is when I started having those attacks. Does it ever go away? My 4 year old too. Why is it only us and no one else? So wierd. – submitted by Marissa, Jordan in the Middle East
Allergies and Gulf of Mexico oil spill
What effect does exposure to vapors and other oil spill-related hazards in the Gulf of Mexico have on those with asthma and other respiratory allergies? I’ve collected some of the current responses to these issues, but we want to hear from you. If you live or work in the gulf, or feel your allergies or health have been affected by the oil spill, please share your comments in the ‘Leave a Reply’ area below.
Long-term effects of the BP spill are not yet known, but we do know that, while fumes and irritants are not allergens, they can trigger an allergic rhinitis and asthma reactions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting health hazard evaluations and surveillance to track symptoms indluding worsening of asthma, cough, chest pain, eye irritation, nausea, and headache.
NIOSH has listed the following potential hazards in its Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill guidance for workers: benzene, chemical dispersants and other chemical hazards, fatigue, fuel oil, heat stress, hurricanes, mosquitoes, poisonous plants, respiratory protection, snakes, stinging insects, stress, and sun exposure.
ABC news reports that over a million gallons of chemical dispersants have been used in the cleanup. Long-term affects of these dispersants on health are not yet known. In addition to the obvious dangers of chemical irritants and pollutants, other allergens discussed below threaten outdoor workers.
Poisonous plants such as poison ivy, oak, and sumac not only cause severe allergic reactions in many by direct contact, but inhaling smoke from burning brush piles containing these plants can cause severe allergic respiratory reactions. Urushiol from these plants can remain active on the surface of tools and other objects for up to 5 years.
Bees, wasps, hornets and fire ants pose an additional threat to workers involved in the cleanup. Their stings can result in severe allergic reactions that require immediate medical care and may cause death.
Allergy to the sun can be a threat for outdoor workers, in addition to the more common threats of sunburn and skin cancers. Mayo Clinic describes four types of sun allergy: polymorphic light eruption, actinic prurigo, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria.
References
Chemical Dispersants (ABC News)
Heat (Accuweather.com)
Oil spill related health issues (Skin and Allergy News)
Respiratory effects (Fox News)
Health Surveillance Oil Spill (Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico Response (NIOSH)
Hazard Information (NIOSH)
Sun Allergy (Mayo Clinic)
What has changed Florida’s air? Do hurricanes affect allergies?
This is my 2nd year living in Florida. Both husband and I are bothered terribly by itchy, swollen, red eyes, congestion, and sneezing. The first year here we were both fine and now we are miserable. What has changed in Florida’s air? We have both over the counter and prescription allergy medicine. Nothing is touching this. — Sharon, Florida
Note from AllergyNurse: Is it possible the increase in hurricane activity in recent years has spawned some changes that are just now surfacing? If so, what might they be?
After the Katrina hurricane, the news media kept us informed of the moldy conditions with items such as this one:
Toxic Mold Spreads through Soggy South (Associated Press on MSNBC, September 27, 2005.) But a study reported earlier that same year indicated that:
People Often Mistake Ordinary Allergy for Toxic Mold Syndrome (WebMD, January 27, 2005).
Of course, Florida had its big onslaught of hurricanes the previous year, in 2004. NOAA reported that “An unprecented 4 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne) affected Florida this year [2004],” and Florida has experienced hurricane activity in years since then also.
Is all this affecting Florida’s air? There was some commentary that this may indeed be so in a previous post. See:
Seminole County Florida – new allergies?
What do you all think?
Here is an excellent item from Jackson Health System, Miami, Florida. This offers allergy sufferers tips on how to prepare before the hurricane, as well as what to do after the hurricane. See:
Hurricane Tips: Allergies
Lois (AllergyNurse)
