Chattanooga Allergy Clinic sheds light on indoor allergens, asthma flare-ups

Fall and the coming cooler months can mean difficult times ahead for patients who deal with asthma and those who find discomfort because of indoor allergens.

Dr. Lee Perry

Dr. Lee Perry with Chattanooga Allergy Clinic said the main triggers this time of year for patients with asthma are viral infections and the common cold.

"With kids being back in school, germs get passed around and it's really easy to trigger those asthma symptoms, especially this time of year," he explained. "Flares vary depending on the severity of the patient's asthma some experience a slight increase in coughing or have difficulty exercising and breathing, while others are more severe and experience chest tightening, wheezing, or even lack of response to medications and rescue inhalers."

Perry went on to explain that everyone who has asthma should have a rescue inhaler.

"Whether they use it once a year or once a week, or more frequently, they should all have it available," he said. "You don't know when you will need it, and if your case is more severe, or persistent, you should also see an asthma and allergy specialist to identify triggers."

Persistent asthma is defined as a patient having to use their rescue inhaler or medication more than twice a week. These patients should also have daily medications to help manage their conditions, according to Perry.

"Avoidance is also key once you learn your triggers," Perry said. "Trying to free yourself from them in the form of allergy shots is a great idea and can cut down the need for more medications."

As people start spending more time indoors, patients can also find themselves dealing with dust mites, pet dander and cockroaches.

"Dust mites are everywhere and everybody has them, especially here in the Southeast," Perry said. "It's so humid down here, and they thrive on that type of environment."

Dust mites are microscopic insects found in beds and carpets that feed off of dead skin. Washing bed linen in very hot water once a week and using dust mite covers on pillows are great ways to eliminate this allergen.

"A big mistake I see people make with dust mites is using humidifiers," Perry said. "That actually adds moisture to the air and makes them happy and they thrive more; we need to take humidity out of the air, using a dehumidifier in some cases."

Pet dander can become more problematic this time of year too, because it is very light and floats around the house easily. Perry said air filters and purifiers can help filter out some of the dander, and keeping pets out of the bedroom and off the bed can help as well, as will having one specified area in the home for pets to be.

"Cockroaches are another indoor allergen that can cause problems this time of year," Perry said. "Cockroach allergens mostly come from their body parts after they die they decay into a dust that can be inhaled and cause allergy and asthma symptoms."

He added that the best solution for that is to have a local pest control professional come and treat the home, and hold them accountable to ensure the problem is resolved.

Noteworthy:

"A big mistake I see people make with dust mites is using humidifiers," Perry said. "That actually adds moisture to the air and makes them happy and they thrive more; we need to take humidity out of the air, using a dehumidifier in some cases."