There are some major misconceptions about what makes people sneeze and seasonal allergies.
Take the following test based on an article in the April edition of the Hope Health Letter to see how savvy you are when it comes to dealing with allergens.
1. True or False. Flowers cause most seasonal allergies.
2. True or False. Moving to a drier climate such as Colorado can help relieve your allergy symptoms.
3. True or False. Short-haired pets are a good choice if you're allergic to cats or dogs.
4. True or False. If you didn't have any allergies as a child, you probably won't have any as an adult.
5. True or False. Washing your hands frequently can help minimize allergic reactions.
Answers:
1. False. Wind-pollinated plants such as weeds, trees and grasses are the principal culprits in creating an allergic response. Flowers' pollen is generally heavy and falls to the ground while the pollen from trees can be blown hundreds of miles.
2. True and False! Moving to a drier climate such as Colorado can be beneficial depending on what you are allergic to. Unfortunately, you may also be exposed to new plants when you move. At first you may think you've escaped the dreaded pollen only to discover after a year that new allergies have appeared.
3. False. It's the dander (dead skin cells), saliva and urine that are actually the source of pet allergies, not their hair or fur. There really are no truly hypoallergenic breeds of cats or dogs according to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.
4. False. Adults can become allergic to things they weren't allergic to earlier in life.
5. True. Frequent hand washing can help minimize your exposure to allergens. Pollen collects on all outdoor surfaces. Washing your hands often and avoiding touching your eyes and face can help. Also avoid running your fingers through your hair (which is also exposed to pollens when you are outside). Consider washing your hair or taking a shower before you go to bed if you've been out and about all day.
FYI: Peak pollen hours are between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
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Dana | May 14, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I can’t quite decide if these are disgusting or fantastic! But I do remember making popcorn balls when I was a kid that were flavored with Jell-o. May have to look up that recipe…