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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Elements of Allergy and Asthma Research for Patients Drug Guide Allergy & Asthma ADVOCATE Search by Condition (A-Z) Referral Guidelines En Español Just for Kids Seniors Order Public Education Materials Donate Now Contact Us Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Topic of the Month: June 2005: Enjoy summer vacation with allergies and asthma This month you'll learn how to: Enjoy the weather Bee-aware of insects Get active Eat away from home Travel safe Summer is in full bloom and people are enjoying fun activities outdoors. Asthma and allergy sufferers need to keep in mind that along with the warm weather comes exposure to allergens which could trigger a potentially harmful attack. This is why maintaining control over their asthma and allergies is a must. More than 20 million Americans have asthma and nearly 50 million Americans have allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). No matter the severity of one's condition, it is important for them to recognize their symptoms and know what to do if they experience an asthmatic or allergic attack. Enjoy the weather Being outdoors is a big part of summer however asthma sufferers need to be aware of the potential pitfalls that come along with it. Ozone alerts, forest fire smoke and wind blown tree and plant pollen can trigger attacks. Even people with mild asthma can experience asthma attacks severe enough to send them to the emergency room. Follow these helpful tips on how to enjoy the summer weather: Stay indoors on excessively hot days If possible, use air conditioning instead of having windows opened Avoid outdoor playing in fields with tall grass and weeds Air out tents/tree houses or other confined places where mold could be Sit far away from smoke created by campfires, smoke irritates the lungs Shower and wash your hair every night before going to bed Leave tennis shoes outside after playing to avoid tracking pollen indoors Bee-ware of insects Summer is the time of year when people are stung by bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets or fire ants. Common reactions to most stinging insects are temporary redness, swelling and itching at the site of the sting. But for people allergic to stinging insects, their immune systems will overreact to the venom injected by the insects resulting in severe reaction. Follow these tips to avoid stinging insects: Stay away from areas that the insects inhabit, this includes hives, nests and ant hills Hire a trained exterminator to destroy any hives and nests around your home Move slowly when encountered by a flying insect, do not "swat" them Avoid wearing bright colored clothing and heavy, sweet scented perfume when outdoors Keep all food covered until eaten Get active Summer is also a great time to be outside swimming, biking, playing ball or running even for people with exercised induced asthma. Steps can be taken prior, during and after activities to control your asthma this summer: Always warm up before you workout; a light jog and quick stretch before you start Avoid exercising outside on excessively hot days Try not to exercise outside when pollen counts are high, this could aggravate your asthma - check out the National Allergy Bureau for pollen counts in your area Drink plenty of fluids while playing Take breaks during your exercising Always cool down after working out or predicating in strenuous activities; easy walking and stretching Eating away from home Summer vacation is a great time to go for a picnic or eating at a restaurant. It is very important for children with food allergies to remember that knowing what they are putting into their mouths is still important; eating the wrong food could cause an anaphylactic attack. When eating away from home remember the following: Know which foods you are allergic to. The most common are: milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat and shellfish Always inform your friends' parents of any food allergies to avoid contact Don't be afraid to ask what something is made of, knowing the ingredient could help avoid an attack Make sure the table you are eating at is clean; the slightest contamination could trigger an attack Always carry an EpiPen and make sure someone around you knows how to administer in case you are unable to Travel safe Summer vacation is also a time for traveling. If you have allergies and asthma, you know they're always with you, even when you travel. To help ensure that your vacation is fun, relaxing and free from allergic or asthmatic attacks it is best to be prepared for the road ahead: If you have active allergy symptoms or unstable asthma, have a pre-trip physical. Pack all medications you will need on your trip Avoid being in with a smoker or ask they refrain from smoking in the car or around you. If possible roll up windows and use the air conditioning. Clean car before going on trip, dust mites and mold could be in carpet or seats If you cross several time zones, allow for time differences so that medication dosage schedules will remain constant. When staying in a hotel that doesn't have an allergy proof room make sure your room is located in a dry, sunny area away from the pool. If traveling abroad, obtain the name of an AAAAI allergist/immunologist practicing in your destination area from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's Physician Referral. Additional Resources Tips to Remember: Traveling with Allergies and Asthma Tips to Remember: Stinging Insect Allergy Tips to Remember: Food Allergy Tips to Remember: Outdoor Allergens Just for Kids: Camping with Allergies and Asthma interactive game This topic was reviewed on 5/31/2005 by Stuart Friedman, MD, FAAAAI, Patients & Consumers Web Editor. <back>
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