People with allergies may be more sensitive to cigarette smoke than others and research studies indicate that smoking may aggravate allergies. Smoking does not just harm smokers but also those around them. Research has shown that children and spouses of smokers tend to have more respiratory infections and asthma than those of non-smokers.

In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of allergic complications such as sinusitis and bronchitis. Common symptoms of smoke irritation are burning or watery eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, hoarseness and shortness of breath presenting as a wheeze. Don't smoke and if you do, seek support to quit smoking. Talk to your Doctor.

Contact Puff-Free Partners, such as: Nicotine Anonymous 1-415-750-0328 http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Cockroaches are one of the most common and allergenic of indoor pests.

Recent studies have found a strong association between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to cockroach allergens. These pests are common even in the cleanest of crowded urban areas and older dwellings. They are found in all types of neighborhoods.

The proteins found in cockroach saliva are particularly allergenic but the body and droppings of cockroaches also contain allergenic proteins. Limit the spread of food around the house and especially keep food out of bedrooms. Keep food and garbage in closed containers. Never leave food out in the kitchen. Mop the kitchen floor and wash countertops at least once a week. Eliminate water sources that attract these pests, such as leaky faucets and drain pipes. Plug up crevices around the house through which cockroaches can enter. Use bait stations and other environmentally safe pesticides to reduce cockroach infestation

Dust mites are tiny microscopic relatives of the spider and live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains

As with tree pollen, grass pollen is regional as well as seasonal.

In addition, grass pollen levels can be affected by temperature, time of day and rain. Of the 1,200 species of grass that grow in North America, only a small percentage of these cause allergies. The most common grasses that can cause allergies are: Bermuda grass Johnson grass Kentucky bluegrass Orchard grass Sweet vernal grass Timothy grass
SPECIFICALLY: If you have a grass lawn, have someone else do the mowing. If you must mow the lawn yourself, wear a mask. Keep grass cut short. Choose ground covers that don't produce much pollen, such as Irish moss, bunch, and dichondra.
IN GENERAL: Avoid the outdoors between 5-10 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower. Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans. Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets. Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside. Otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors.

House dust is a component of who you are.

House dust is not just dirt but a mixture of potentially allergenic materials, such as: fibers food particles mold spores pollens dust mites plant & insect parts hair, animal fur & feathers dried saliva & urine from pets flakes of human & animal skin The more time you spend indoors, particularly in the fall and winter, the greater your exposure to house dust allergens. Dust rooms thoroughly with a damp cloth at least once a week. Wear protective gloves and a dust mask while cleaning to reduce exposure to dust and cleaning irritants. Use electric and hot water radiant heaters to provide a cleaner source of heat than "blown air" systems. Reduce the number of stuffed animals, wicker baskets, dried flowers and other dust collectors around the house. Replace heavy drapes and blinds with washable curtains or shades. Replace carpets with washable scatter rugs or bare floors (wood, tile or linoleum).

Mold spores are allergens that can be found both indoors and out doors.

There is no definite seasonal pattern to molds that grow indoors. However outdoor molds are seasonal, first appearing in early spring and thriving until the first frost. Indoor molds are found in dark, warm, humid and musty environments such as damp basements, cellars, attics, bathrooms and laundry rooms. They are also found where fresh food is stored, in refrigerator drip trays, garbage pails, air conditioners and humidifiers. Outdoor molds grow in moist shady areas. They are common in soil, decaying vegetation, compost piles, rotting wood and fallen leaves. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain relative humidity below 50% and keep temperatures cool. Air out closed spaces such as closets and bathrooms. Vent bathrooms and clothes dryers to the outside. Check faucets, pipes and ductwork for leaks. When first turning on home or car air conditioners, leave the room or drive with the windows open for several minutes to allow mold spores to disperse. Remove decaying debris from the yard, roof and gutters. Avoid raking leaves, mowing lawns or working with peat, mulch, hay or dead wood. If you must do yard work, wear a mask and avoid working on hot, humid days.

Many people think animal allergies are caused by the fur or feathers of their pet.

In fact, allergies are actually aggrevated by: proteins secreted by oil glands and shed as dander proteins in saliva (which stick to fur when animals lick themselves) aerosolized urine from rodents and guinea pigs Keep in mind that you can sneeze with and without your pet being present. Although an animal may be out of sight, their allergens are not. This is because pet allergens are carried on very small particles. As a result pet allergens can remain circulatlng in the air and remain on carpets and furniture for weeks and months after a pet is gone. Remove pets from your home if possible. If pet removal is not possible, keep them out of bedrooms and confined to areas without carpets or upholstered furniture. Wear a dust mask and gloves when near rodents. After playing with your pet, wash your hands and clean your clothes to remove pet allergens. Avoid contact with soiled litter cages. Dust often with a damp cloth.

Ragweed and other weeds such as curly dock, lambs quarters, pigweed, plantain, sheep sorrel and sagebrush are some of the most prolific producers of pollen allergens

Although the ragweed pollen season runs from August to November, ragweed pollen levels usually peak in Mid September in many areas in the country. In addition, pollen counts are highest between 5 - 10 AM and on dry, hot and windy days. Avoid the outdoors between 5-10 AM. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower. Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans. Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets. Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside. Otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors.

Trees are the earliest pollen producers, releasing their pollen as early as January in the Southern states and as late as May or June in the Northern states.

Trees can aggravate your allergy whether or not they are on your property, since trees release large amounts of pollen that can be distributed miles away from the originial source. Of the 50,000 different kinds of trees, less than 100 have been shown to cause allergies. Most allergies are specific to one type of tree such as: ash box elder cottonwood elm hickory maple olive pecan poplar sycamore walnut willow However, people do show cross-reactivity among trees in the alder, beech, birch and oak family, and the juniper and cedar family.

If you buy trees for your yard, look for species that do not aggravate allergies such as catalpa, crape myrtle, dogwood, fig, fir, palm, pear, plum, redbud and redwood trees. Avoid the outdoors between 5-10 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower. Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans. Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets. Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside. Otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors.