Rain and Flooding = Allergies?

Filed in archive Asthma , Hay Fever , Living with Allergies on July 4, 2006

It's been sunny and bright the last few days here on my side of the globe. For those in Washington, especially those in the vicinity of the rock Creek, people are just beginning to clean up the mess left by the torrential downpour last week. Such deluge can bring about a lot of health concerns, particularly for people with allergies.

Rain is good for plants, so we can expect ragweed to be in full bloom in a few more weeks. As ragweed tops the list as being the number 1 offending pollen, we can already expect a lot of sneezing and wheezing come August.

Indoors, mold spores are a problem, too. They can lead to multiple allergies, and in severe cases, may lead to more serious lung disease.

In rarer cases, Rosenstreich says, people exposed to mold may experience hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation in the lungs that can turn into chronic lung disease. Symptoms of the sometimes-fatal disease -- which is also seen in cases where fungus infests humidifiers, heating systems and air conditioners -- include cough, fever, chills and shortness of breath. Most symptoms resolve when the allergen is removed.

The key to keep molds at a minimum is to keep the place as dry as possible. In the aftermath of a flooding for example, it is critical to have all furniture, carpets, etc to get dried. In certain extraordinary cases such as these, you may want to get the services of a professional cleaner.
Read more tips and info from this article from the Washington Post.

[Photo: Cheryl Leinonen]