Allergy Facts Parents Need to Know
Facts About Allergies For
Parents
by: News Canada
(NC)-Did you know that more than 20 percent of school-age
children suffer from allergies. A condition that,
if not diagnosed properly, can
interfere with a child's ability to
concentrate.
In fact, according to the U.S. National Institutes of
Health, allergies account for 2 million missed school days each
year, and on any given day more than 10,000 children are absent
from school due to troublesome allergy symptoms. In Canada,
this represents approximately 200,000 missed school
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Allergies And Clean
Air
Ted Zajac, Jr.
Allergies are caused by
exposure to pollution of either
a particulate form such as
pollen or a chemical form such
as polyvinylchloride. The
results of exposure to a
pollutant to which the body is
allergic vary dramatically.
Hayfever with a few sneezes in
the morning is a mild reaction
while Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity can completely
debilitate a sufferer. So, what
can be done to reduce the
symptoms from these allergies?
The answer is a lot.
While this article addresses
the use of portable air
purifiers, the first layer in a
plan to reduce allergic
symptoms must be to eliminate
the source of the pollution. An
air purifier is typically not
able to keep up with an active
source. So, for instance, while
a good home air purifier can
reduce the smell and
particulates from a cigar, it
will not be effective while a
cigar is being smoked.
Secondly, surfaces and
materials that might harbor the
pollutant such as rugs, walls,
light bulbs, drapery, and
upholstery must be cleaned or
eliminated from the
environment. All of these items
will continue to return the
pollutant to the environment.
Thirdly, if there is a forced
air system in the home or
office the filter must be
changed regularly and duct
cleaning should be considered
in older homes and offices.
Often these first steps remove
the pollutant and the allergy
sufferer finds relief without
the use of an air purifier.
All of the effective air
purifier technologies are
simple. There is a box with a
fan and some system, either
electronic or mechanical, that
removes pollutants from the
airflow that is passing though
the box. The real key to
understanding how to use an air
purifier is to remember that
only the air that goes though
the box gets cleaned. So, if
you have a very long room you
may be better with two small
air purifiers at either end
rather than one large unit in
the middle. Think logically and
remember how these devices
work.
The technology that you should
employ is determined by what
type of pollutant you are
trying to remove. Adsorption
media such as activated carbon
or zeolite will remove chemical
pollutants, HEPA and electronic
technologies will remove
particulates, and UV technology
will disable microorganisms.
Typically these technologies
are used in combination.
Pollen is a particulate
pollutant and is best addressed
with either a HEPA system or an
electronic system. HEPA is
highly effective but the
filters must be changes on an
interval that varies from
6-months to 5-years depending
on the manufacturer. Electronic
filter elements do not need to
be changed but must be washed
regularly to remain effective.
Both of these technologies are
usually combined with an
activated carbon filter. These
vary from pounds of media to a
then mat. Since pollen is a
particulate we do not need to
worry about the activated
carbon but do not expect much
from the activated carbon mats.
They do not offer enough
exposure time to be effective
at removing chemicals or
odors.
Microorganisms are often a
concern for those that have
weak or damaged immune systems
including the very young and
elderly. The most effective way
to address the spread of
microorganisms is the use of UV
light in the air purifier. This
light affects the DNA of the
organism and at least keeps it
from reproducing but more often
kills it. UV light is typically
employed in conjunction with
HEPA technology so that the air
is clean of particulates that
would shade the microorganisms
from the UV radiation.
Chemicals are removed from the
air via a process known as
adsorption. A media is used
such as activated carbon that
has tremendous surface area. As
the chemicals encounter the
media they adhere to the media
and coat it, thus removing the
chemicals from the air. While
activated carbon is a good
general purpose media, there
are other mixtures that have
been created by the air
purifier companies that address
specific compounds. Therefore,
if you know which compounds you
are targeting for removal it is
best to communicate this with
the firm to get the proper
mixture to address your issue.
Much like UV, HEPA is usually
used in combination with the
adsorbing media. This assures
that the media does not become
clogged with particulate
pollution and made less
effective.
In summary, the first defense
against airborne allergens to
remove the source of the
allergen and anything that will
retain the allergen. Secondly,
pick a technology that is
effective with the specific
allergen that is the issue.
Thirdly apply air purifiers in
such a way as to maximize the
air that is going though the
unit.
About the Author :
Ted Zajac Jr. is a graduate of
Johns Hopkins University and
Vice President of Technology
for ClearFlite Incorporated
that can be found at
http://www.airpurifiers.com
. Ted has been published in
a variety of magazines from
Byte to Hydraulics and
Pneumatics. Source: www.isnare.com
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days and more than 1,000 children missing school on any
given day because of allergies. Allergies can have a
significant impact on a child's quality of life.
Fortunately, the allergy experts at Claritin, the leader in the
treatment of seasonal and perennial allergies, have developed
appropriate information to help parents determine whether a
child suffers from allergies.
For instance, if one parent has allergies, chances are one in
three that a child will have an allergy, and if both parents
have allergies the chance jumps to seven in 10.
By providing parents with the appropriate information, they
will be better equipped to consult with their healthcare
provider and set up an appropriate system to help avoid a
child's allergy triggers.
It can be hard for parents to distinguish between colds and
allergies without help, because many symptoms of each are
similar.
The casual misdiagnosis that "it's just a cold" can result in
unnecessary suffering for the child with allergies. Here are
some common allergy symptoms parents should look for:
A runny or stuffy nose and constant sneezing
Breathing through the mouth or snoring, due to a stuffy
nose
Itchy nose, eyes, or skin
Rubbing the nose upward with the palm of the hand (also known
as the "allergy salute")
Watery eyes or dark circles under the eyes
Headaches, earaches, or hearing problems
Changes in behavior; children may be irritable or
hyperactive
Once a physician has determined that a child has allergies,
parents should know there are treatment options available to
ease the symptoms including avoidance of allergy triggers,
allergy shots, and/or medications. One medication in
particular, Claritin Syrup is learning friendly for children.
It is the only non-sedating antihistamine for children to treat
both seasonal and year-round allergies without causing
drowsiness.
For more information on allergies and their effect on learning
contact 1-800-665-1507 or visit www.claritin.ca.
About The Author
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