AGGARWAL ALLERGY AND ASTHMA CLINIC
BOARD CERTIFIED ALLERGY AND ASTHMA SPECIALISTS, est 1986
IMAGES
Some of the images for our visitors. More to come.
Image of Dust Mite
Image of Dust Mite. A very common indoor allergen. This is one of the most common indoor allergens. Most common sources of this are old mattress, old carpet, feather pillow. Dust mite concentration in the house is the highest during fall. This is the most common reason for flareups of asthma during fall. These microscopic insects thrive on human scales. There are tow most common species. D. farinae and D. pterronyssinus. Best way to avoid exposure to these is to not have carpet in the house, especially in the bedroom, Enclose your mattress and pillows in dust prood encasings, wash beddings in hot water. Minimize fabric upholstered furniture, Use window shades rather than blinds or durtains, Vaccuum weekly with a face mask, HEPA filter might also help. Cover heating and cooling vents with filters. Keep the humidity low ( around 35 - 40 % )
Below is the microscopic picture of a common mold Alternaria. Mold is one of the most common indoor allergens causing or aggravating allergies and asthma. Take teps to reduce exposure to mold in the house by doing the following things: Keep humidity below 50%. Preferably 40 %.
Increase ventillation in damp areas of the house. Remove or avoid using carpets in the bathrooms and kithcen. Avoid overhumidification in the winter time. Dry washed clothes immediately and vent dryer out side. Use a face mask when working in the damp, musty areas. Fix drainage issues in and around the house. Summer homes are one of the worst areas as far as mold exposure is concerned. These same steps should be taken more aggressively for summer homes.This is the microscopic view of RAGWEED pollen. This is one of the worst offenders causing allergies for millions of individuals starting typically end of August. Most of the pollination is done by end of October or with first good frost. This is what causes typical
hay fever
symptoms of sneezing, stuffy, runny, itchy nose, itchy red watery eyes, itchy throat, itchy and clogged ears. It may also aggravate asthma in susceptible individuals. Avoid being outdoors for extended periods of time and use air conditioning whenever possible. Do not sleep with windows open and do not use attic fans. Do not dry clothes out side or the pollens would stick to the clothes and come inside the house. Some severely alelrgic patients need allergy shots. Lot of patients do well with Antihistamines, Decondgestants and Intranasal steroid nose sprays.RAGWEED PLANT
This is Ambrosia artemisifolia. The short Ragweed. Giant Ragweed is called Ambrosia trifida. This can reach upto 15 feet ( GIANT ) These are wind pollinated therefore each plat has to produce lots of pollens, approximately one billion per plant per year. Not only the quantity but the potential to cause allergy is also the greatest for Ragweed allergen. Global warming appears to have increased the pollen production. Pollen would travel many miles during hot windy days. From US these have spread to Hawaii, Europe and Japan as well. Mountainous areas used to be free of this plant but not any more.
Allergen protiens have been identified in these pollens. Amb a 1 and Amb a 2 are the major allergen protiens in Ragweed. Potency of allergenic extracts is measured in terms of levels of these allergens. There are other minor allergens of limited significance.
