Are you living in one of the worst places for fall allergies?  Check out the latest list for the Top 20 Fall Allergy Hotspots.   

Fall Allergy Hotspots: The 20 Worst Places In The U.S.

If you’re an allergy sufferer, you hardly need us to remind you, but it is that time of year again! Fall allergy season is upon us.  Think you live in a particularly bad spot?

The non-profit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has, once again, compiled a list of the 100 worst metro areas for seasonal allergies — rankings that are based on pollen scores, the number of allergy meds used per patient in any given area, as well as the number of specialists in that spot. According to WebMD, one of the main culprits for fall allergies is ragweed, which typically begins pollinating in August, but can linger into the fall. Mold spores can also play a major role.

Wondering if your hometown made the so-called “allergies capital” list? Check out the 20 worst offenders below as reported in the Huffington Post.

1. ENCASE:  Cover your bed with allergy encasings!  They’re the #1 doctor-recommended step for allergy relief!
2. WASH:  Wash linens to remove allergens.  Make your job easier with allergen-removing detergents.
3. CLEAN:  Every little bit helps with cleaning and certain household cleaners are designed to tackle allergens.
4. REMOVE:  It’s best to remove carpets, but that can be touch.  Use carpet treatments that remove allergens.
5. FILTER:  Air filters trap allergens and keep them from circulating in your home. 
6. PURIFY:  HEPA air purifiers capture airborne allergens.  Save now on Blueair HEPA filter replacements! 
7. SAVE:  What’s this 7th step?  Oh yeah, it’s an extra bonus from us!  SAVE 20% with code 20SPOT until 10/31.  If you’re in a tight spot with allergies, get the products and the relief you need! 

“If you suffer from allergies, you may experience sneezing, stuffiness, a running nose and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes, or ears. These allergic reactions are most commonly caused by pollen, mold spores in the air, or effects in the weather and location,” says Rima DeFatta, M.D., an ear, nose and throat specialist at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals.

“Finding the right treatment is the best method for managing your allergies. There is no reason to suffer during allergy season,” says Dr. DeFatta.

Limit exposure to the pollen or molds that cause allergy symptoms

Find out — Know your triggers
Watch out — Monitor pollen and mold counts, stay indoors when counts are high
Keep the pollen outside — Keep windows closed at your home and in your car
Mask your misery — Wear a pollen mask when outside for long periods of time
Clean — After being outdoors, take a shower, wash your hair, change your clothing, have furnishings and carpet cleaned, and clean your nasal passages with saline sinus rinse
Take a Vacation — Consider taking a vacation during the height of the season to more of a pollen free area, close to a beach or sea
Don’t let up — Don’t stop your allergy medication too soon

Read the full Chippewa Herald article at: http://chippewa.com/lifestyles/article_f32e4d9e-ea07-11e0-bb9a-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1ZM8wL8Pl

A seriously gross thing that we heard on National Geographic’s bed bug video is that these nasty critters can bite you up to 500 times a night!  The bites are itchy and painful, and while they are horrendous to even think about, the bites may be the least of your problems.  If you’ve encountered bed bugs, you’ve got Trouble with a capital T!  If you’re at a hotel with bed bugs, you could bring them home where all heck will break loose (more on this topic this week).  And if bed bugs have infested your home, serious steps will need to be taken to get rid of them.  Some people have to resort to throwing away bedding, mattresses, couches or other bed bug havens.  And these pests are hardy so they don’t go down without a fight. 

Encasing your bed is a major preventative step to avoid bed bug problems and save your bedding (and your sanity).  Consider how the simple step of encasing your bed can help you: 

• Bed bugs like to burrow into dark, soft areas where they are in close proximity with their major food source … namely you and your blood.  (We have to say ICK again, just writing these words.)
• If bed bugs get into your home, they will likely head for your bed and bedding.  If you’ve covered your bed with a bed bug proof encasing, the bed bug can’t get into the bedding to make its home there.  The encasing acts like a KEEP OUT sign to protect your pillow, mattress, box spring or comforter.
• Encasings slip onto your bedding in a matter of minutes to form this protective barrier.  And it’s not like you have to trade off comfort and resort to some sort of crinkly, hot encasing.  These encasings are not vinyl!  COTTON PERFORMANCE encasings are made from 100% cotton.  Pristine COMPLETE encasings are 100% microfiber.  Both are soft, smoothe, quiet and invisible on the bed.  You won’t know they are there! 
• You might be wondering how 100% cotton or 100% microfiber gets the job done to keep out bed bugs?  These encasings aren’t made from any old fabric.  They’re specially woven, advanced fabrics that are about as high tech as you can get when talking about fabric.   In addition to the specialized fabric, the encasings have superior construction features that block bed bugs (or keep them in, if you’ve already had a problem).  The seams, stitching and zippers are all high quality and tight so that bed bugs don’t get in or out. 
• If you already have bed bugs in your home (ouch, we feel for you), you can salvage your mattress or box spring by placing encasings on both and leaving the encasings on for at least 18 months.  These pests can go a long time without food and therefore, leave the encasings on to starve them!  As for pillows and comforters, encasings can help here too but you may want to consider getting rid of both or possibly numerous hot water washes. 
• Two other great things about COTTON PERFORMANCE and Pristine COMPLETE encasings are that they also protect you from dust mite and pet allergens for a healthier night’s sleep AND they are 25% OFF  through 9/30 when you use code BUGWEEK! 

Our best advice, be proactive with encasings rather than being reactive!  Use the 25% discount with discount code BUGWEEK and encase your bed.  Enjoy allergy relief, bed bug protection and savings!

School is starting and if you have a child with food allergies, it can be an especially scary time.  In this video, Dr. Ruchi Gupta discusses food allergies along with some equally scary facts:

• A whopping 6 million children suffer from food allergies (1 out of 13 kids!). 
• Nearly 40% of the food allergic children have severe reactions. 
• Their study showed top food allergies are to peanuts and milk  (25% have a Peanut Allergy and 21% have a Milk Allergy).  Other food allergies included Shellfish, Egg, Wheat and Soy. 
• Food allergy reactions often differ from environmental allergies.  Reactions can include trouble breathing or other life-theatening symptoms.
• Sensitivity can be caused by touch and does not always have to be through ingesting the food. 
• Scientists are studying causes of food allergies.  Some theories include additives in food causing sensitivity or even that we are too focused on cleanliness.  Without exposure to some healthy bacteria, our immune system can get out of whack and start fighting incorrect things like foods or particles in the environment.   

To watch this this informative video, click here:  Dr. Ruchi Gupta Discussing Food Alleriges 

Or watch for more information:   

Parents, if you have advice for handling food allergies in the classroom or at birthday parties, we’d love to hear your comments! 

We are excited about starting a whole new dialogue with you about your allergies and asthma!   And don’t forget those awful bed bugs! 

Let’s join together in opening the information highway for finding relief.   Our hope is to provide you with the latest and greatest content currently available as well as helpful resources.  We hope you will do the same!  If there is something out there that you feel this community would benefit from, please send it our way!  Any tips, comments or suggestions that you have will be greatly appreciated.  We are in an age where it can be difficult to find helpful information and companies you can trust.  At Allergy Control Products, we hope to be a trusted source for you and we can’t wait to start up this discussion!

To get you started, check out our most recent post regarding BEDBUGS!  Animal Planet is airing a MUST-SEE do***entary called “Bedbug Apocalypse” Thursday night, 8/25, at 10.p.m.  You don’t want to miss it!!  Or maybe you do…  :)

Your home can be a huge source of allergies, even when it looks spotless!  Dust mites, pet dander, molds and more can be lurking everywhere, causing allergy and asthma symptoms.  The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) offers top tips to reduce indoor allergens and to help you feel better and control your symptoms.  Highlights from the article are below, or check out the full article on the AAAAI’s website by clicking here.

Millions of people suffer from allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens such as house dust mite droppings, animal dander, cockroach droppings and molds. The symptoms are the result of a chain reaction that starts in the genes and is expressed in the immune system.

Your immune system controls how your body defends itself. For instance, if you have an allergy to dust mites, your immune system identifies dust mites as an invader or allergen. Your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction. This reaction usually causes symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin.

With the help of an allergist / immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, you can learn what indoor allergens cause your symptoms and make environmental changes to avoid them.

Healthy Tips
• Keep your home clean and dry to help make it “allergen-free.”
• Focus on sites where allergens build up – bedding, carpet and upholstered furniture.
• Weekly vacuuming can help. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or double bags.
• Keep humidity low by using an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
• Fix leaks to avoid mold, and clean or remove moldy materials promptly.
• Avoid pests by keeping food in sealed containers and using covered garbage cans.

You can visit your phyisican or allergist for medical advice on controlling allergies.  Also check out the hundreds of products to help your allergies at www.AllergyControl.com.

Many of the Ear, Nose and Throat doctors that we know highly recommend nasal rinsing and nasal sprays for symptom relief.  Here’s a short article from Health Day at US News & World Report on helpful hints for using nasal sprays. 

(HealthDay News) — A nasal spray can help many allergy sufferers find relief from symptoms, but it’s important that the spray be used correctly.

The American Academy of Family Physicians mentions these suggestions when using a nasal spray:

• It may take as long as two weeks before you notice the spray’s full effect.
• At least once per week, wash the canister that delivers the spray.
• Before you spray, sniff air into each nostril to allow the medication to go deep inside the nose.
• Aim the spray straight toward the back of your head.
• If used correctly, the spray shouldn’t leak from your nose or down your throat.
• Stop using the spray for a few days if you have a nosebleed or feel pain in the nose.
• Use the medication as directed by your doctor, and store it out of direct sunlight.

For the article, click here. 

For nasal sprays from Allergy Control Products, check out our Sinus Relief products that are recommended by ENT’s across the country.

Allergy Control Products was excited to be featured on The Martha Stewart Show this month. Martha discussed the best step to control allergies in the home with Dr. Dean Mitchell. Some of the recommended steps included encasing your bed and using allergen-blocking bedding. Additionally, Dr. Dean Mitchell recommended using an air purifier to capture airborne allergens. The Honeywell HPA-150 Tower Air Purifier was recommended, since it includes a HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns and it features a slim space-saving design. Allergy Control Products worked with Honeywell to provide a free air purifier for all lucky audience members!
Check out the video and the popular Honeywell Tower Air Purifier that many have ordered since the show aired!