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• Allergy Information

ENT Conditions > Nose

Allergy Avoidance Measures

House Dust Mite Avoidance Protocol

Housedust mites are mainly found on bedding and carpets, therefore avoidance measures should concentrate on these two areas. Please note that single actions alone will not be effective in reducing the number of housedust mites or clinical symptoms and that it is necessary to perform several actions together to alleviate symptoms and so reduce drug usage.

In the Bedroom:

Allergy Avoidance Action:

1. Remove the carpets to reduce housedust mite reservoir levels

2. Remove books, fluffy toys and thick curtains to reduce housedust build up and airborne mite levels

3. Wash all fluffy toys on a regular basis using hot wash cycle (every 1-2 weeks) this will kill housedust mites and removes allergens.

4. Cover pillow and mattress with allergen proof covers to isolate housedust mites and prevents re-infestation of bedding

5. Wash all bedding regularly on a weekly basis at (>55oC) to kill housedust mites and remove allergens.

In the House:

Allergy Avoidance Action:

1. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture on a weekly basis to remove surface dust, faecal pellet, though this will not remove live housedust mites

2. Lower indoor humidity by using air-conditioning (summer) and central heating (winter) as this controls housedust mite growth

3. Remove all carpeting if possible to reduce housedust mite reservoir levels

Mould Control

What are moulds and fungi?

Moulds and fungi are organisms which are not animals, not yet technically plants, because their metabolism is different. Many thousand species exist in the UK, some outdoors in plants and gardens, some in food stores and many indoors in the home. They start as a microscopic seed or spore, usually smaller than a pollen grain. When this settles on a suitable surface, it geminates and sends out a number of filaments called mycelia, which spread through the material and draw nourishment from it.

They can in some cases, draw moisture from the air and thereby grow on or even through, apparently unpromising material such as brick walls. Some moulds spread for several yards by this process. At intervals, the filaments produce a structure termed the fruiting body which produces the spores which are eventually released into the air to be transported by the wind. Fungi produce a definite fruiting body, but the moulds or fungi imperfecta, produce theirs solely as little almost microscopic bumps on the mycelial filaments. A good example of this process in fungi is probably familiar in field mushrooms, which grows in "fairy ring".

The mushroom we know is the fruiting body and the spores are shed from the gills below the parasol top. The filaments are under the soil and may extend in a circle ten or more feet. Some moulds produce visible fruiting bodies, but many others have very indistinct ones which only amount to small nodules on the mycelia.

Where are moulds found?

As we have seen, moulds are common throughout our environment. They may be found in the garden, on the farm, or in food stores. However, probably the most important source of mould problems for most patients is in the home and it is probably moulds in the home which cause most allergic illness.

What causes moulds in the home?

Moulds require moisture to grow. Assuming that your house is well built, you will most frequently get this from condensation. Air can hold in it water vapour and the warmer the air, the more it can hold. When this hot air strikes a cold surface, it is cooled and the water vapour comes out of the air as droplets which form on the cold surface " like breathing on a mirror". All houses will have some intermittent condensation, but if you have persistent condensation, mould growth will be encouraged. However, structural problems can also cause damp patches. These include leaks from plumbing, rising damp and faulty or non existent damp courses, damp patches on walls due to the cavity wall becoming bridged, porous plaster or faulty water drainage from roofs or leaking roofs. It may be necessary to seek expert advice to identify the problem.

What steps can you take?

Moulds on farms constitute an occupational health problem and we can arrange expert advice through ADAS - ask at your consultation. In industry we can ask the Health and Safety Executive.

Guide for Aspirin (Sensitive Patients)

Dangerous Drugs: People known to be aspirin-sensitive must not take aspirin or drug products containing aspirin or aspirin-like drugs (see list below), which are usually used for rheumatism, pain or fever.

Common Drugs Containing Aspirin:

Alka-Seltzer, analgesic Dellipsoids D6, Anodyne Dellipsoids D4, Antoin, APC Mixture, Asagran, Aspav, Aspellin, Broprin, Caprin, Claradin, Co-Codaprin, Codis, Dolasan, Doloxene Co, Equagesic, Hypon, Laboprin, Levius, Migravess, Myolgin, Napsalgesic, Nu-Seals Aspirin, Onadox 118, Paynocil, Robaxisal Forte, Safapryn, Safapryn Co, Solprin, Sore Throat Mixture, Trancoprin, Veganin.

Common Aspirin-like Drugs (NSAIDs)

Alrheumat, Apsifen, Artracin, Benoral, Brufen, Butacote, Bulazolidin, Disalcid, Dolobid, Ebutac, Flinoril, Feldene, Fenbid Spansule, Fenopron, Froben, Ibumetin, Imbrilon, Indocid, Indoflex, Indolar, Indomod, Iorunvail, Laraflex, Larapam, Lederfen, Lodine, Motrin, Naprosyn, Nurofen, Orudis, Oruvail, Palaprin Forte, Paxofen, Ponstan, Progesic, Ramodar, Reliflex, Rheumox, Surgam, Synflex, Tolectin, Voltarol.

Important: As the list cannot ever be complete, make sure that any drug you take does not contain aspirin or aspirin-like drugs by looking at the label. If in doubt ask your Chemist.

Salicylate, Drugs and Food Chemicals

If you have a salicylate intolerance, it is possible that you may also react to aspirin, and that any drug containing aspirin or aspirin-like drugs will be likely to affect you. However intolerance of salicyates may also be associated with intolerance of other chemicals, dyes and preservatives. These may also need to be avoided. (see list below) In general use fresh and home made foods rather than prepared ones.

Common Dyes – (E.numbers)

Tartarzine (102), Yellow 2G (107), Sunset Yellow – cordials / custard (110), Amaranth (123) Ponceau 4R – red berry/cherry flavours/jellies (124) Brilliant Black – black current flavourings/sauces (155)

Common Preservatives

Benzoates – fruit juice/drinks (210,211,212,213)
Sulphites – wine/sausages/fruit juices/flours/pickles (220,221,222,223,224,225,228)
Gallates (antioxidants) – oils and fats (310,311,312)
In addition some aspirin-sensitive individuals react to:

Vegetables:

Low- bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, brussel sprouts, red cabbage, green cabbage, celery, chickpeas, chives, choko, kidney beans, leeks, lentils, lettuce, lima beans, fresh peas, dried peas, peeled potatoes, shallots, Swedes.

Moderate – asparagus beans, green beetroot, carrot, cauliflower, kumera, marrow, mushrooms, onion, parsnips, unpeeled potato, pumpkin, sweetcorn, turnip.

High – granny smith apples, gala apples, cherries, lychee, mandarin, peach

Very High – apricots, berry fruits, grapes, orange, plum, pineapple, rock melon

All dried fruits – sultanas, raisins, prunes, dates etc

All jams and jellies, marmalades and fruit juices

Other Foods

Low – garlic, parsley, soy sauce, malt vinegar, cashew nuts, poppy seeds, cocoa, carob, sugar, golden syrup, chocolate, camomile tea, dandelion coffee, tonic water, gin, vodka, whisky.

Moderate – nuts, coconut, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, beer, cider, sherry, brandy.

High – Honey, marmite, vegemite, coffee, wine, port, fruit teas

Very High – herbs and spices (eg) curry powder, oregano, turmeric, white vinegar, Worcester sauce, tea, peppermint tea, rum liqueurs

To test this out stick to low foods for a two-week period, then try adding in moderate foods again for two weeks. If no worse test out high foods in the same way and then the very high. Please report any reactions.

Pet Allergy

Bird or feathered pets are prominent causes of allergy in atopic people. The major allergen from cats and dogs exists in their saliva; this is licked onto their fur, dries and falls off with the hairs. It is very light and coats all carpets, furnishings and walls where ever the animal goes. Thus a very cat allergic person will react to the house where a cat lives, even if the cat is outside. Cat and dog allergens are found even in schools carried in on clothing.

Many people do not notice immediate reactions to their pets, however after a couple of weeks away these may become apparent on return.

Various measures can be taken to reduce allergic symptoms:

1. Mild to Moderately Affected People:

Reduce exposure – either find the pet a new home and wash the house thoroughly, (if the patient is severely affected).

• Do not replace when the pet dies

• Make bedrooms pet free at all times

• Wash the pet once weekly with warm water

• Treat any skin conditions

• Consider the use of Allerpet which is at present being evaluated

• Wash or damp wipe areas where pet sits

2. Take preventative medication regularly

3. Desensitisation

At present this is only performed for severely affected individuals within the Hospital setting, safer methods are under investigation

Avoidance Measures for Hayfever

Points to remember:

1. Listen to the pollen forecast and plan your day accordingly

2. Avoid walking through or cutting grass, picnics and camping

3. If out in the countryside, shower and wash hair on return

4. Pollen grains descend as the air cools therefore before evening bring in the washing and close the bedroom windows

5. Keep car windows closed and consider buying a car filter

6. Avoid smoking and other irritants such as fresh paint

7. Avoid other allergens which affect you

8. Use Vaseline to rub inside the nose

9. If prescribed – take you intranasal spray regularly