MIAMI, FL – November 07, 2013 – Fall allergies affect an estimated 36 million Americans annually. Whether it’s mold, dust mites or ragweed, that give you the allergy blues, this season, recognize the symptoms and conquer your allergies before you start feeling miserable with tips from Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care.
Fall Allergies: Molds
Another contributor to fall allergies is mold. They are common in soil and compost piles during the fall. Molds are common airborne allergens that rise high in the atmosphere during the warming of the day and fall back to the ground as the day cools, making it easy to inhale in the lungs. South Florida’s sub tropical climate creates an ideal environment for mold to reproduce and survive year round.
Fall Allergies: Dust Mites
Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust. They are microscopic creatures that live in pillows, mattresses, blankets, carpets and other soft materials. They are often thought of as insects, but are actually tiny arachnids, relatives of spiders and ticks. Dust mites feed on skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. A mattress may contain more than a million dust mites. Each mite lives for about 80 days, during which time it produces 1,000 allergy-causing waste particles. Signs of dust mite allergy include sneezing and runny nose, signs of asthma such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. In addition, it may cause nasal symptoms, eye inflammation, or eczema. Like mold spores, South Florida’s weather provides an ideal setting for dust mites to reproduce and survive all year round.
Fall Allergies: Ragweed
The most common culprit in fall seasonal allergies is the ragweed plant. A single plant can produce 1 billion pollen grains per season and its lightweight pollen grains can travel up to 400 miles in the wind. The season usually starts during the last half of summer and lingers into the fall as late as into November. Ragweed rates normally peak sometime in mid-September. This means that after Labor Day the bothersome allergy and asthma-like symptoms can intensify and may still continue through Halloween; At times even beyond due to global warming. While ragweed allergy is more prevalent in the Northeast and Midwest, we in South Florida also have to contend with this pollen.
“While there are seasonal peaks to boost pollen, mold and dust mite allergies, South Florida is unique in that our allergens never stop and are present year round”, says Dr. Philip Mirmelli.
How to Prevent Fall Allergies:
Mold
- Let someone else handle your yard work and stay indoors during this time.
- Mold thrives in ground cover, such as leaves, and can cause you to itch and sneeze.
- If you must spend time in your yard, wear a mask when pollen and mold spores are out in full force.
- Remove indoor plants from your home (or at least keep them to a minimum), as the soil can be a breeding ground for mold.
Dust Mites
- Efforts should focus on the bedroom, where mite numbers are highest, and where most people spend a third of their life. Take steps to reduce dust in the house, particularly in bedroom. Keep bedroom clean and free of clutter. In addition, wash bedding in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C).
Ragweed
- Check our daily pollen count on our website’s Home Page, www.florida-allergy.com.
- Plan outside activities for afternoons when the pollen counts are often lower than any other time of day.
- After spending time outside, clean your hair and change clothing to wash away any allergens.
- Keep your car and house windows closed to prevent allergens from coming in; Run your air conditioner to help clean the air.
For more information, call Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care at 1-877-4-ALLERGY or visit Florida-Allergy.com.
About Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care
Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care has been in business for more than 38 years and has board certified physicians with extensive experience in treating both adults and children. FCAAC has 18 centers throughout South Florida, serving communities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Centers specialize in the testing and treatment of adults and children who suffer from allergies, asthma and other disorders of the immune system. Among the most common allergies treated are allergic skin diseases, food, drug and pet allergies. Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care Research conducts clinical trials on new medications. The goal of the FCAAC team is to provide professional and quality care resulting in total patient satisfaction.
Editor’s Note: If you would be interested in interviewing Dr. Philip Mirmelli please let us know.
Media Contacts:
Eloise E. Rodriguez
Bristol Public Relations
Cell. 786.326.2221
Yeleny Suarez
Bristol Public Relations
Cell. 305.200.9346
