Sniffle Solutions

Asthmatic children with relatively low vitamin D levels in their blood may be at increased risk of severe asthma attacks. Up your kids’ vitamin D intake by serving more fish, eggs and fortified milk.

To reduce exposure during peak pollen levels, avoid scheduling outdoor activities from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., when ragweed-pollen counts are highest.

Young kids, tweens and teens participating in school sports (or playing outside) are in danger of heat-related risks like heatstroke. Be sure your child takes a water break at least every 20 minutes when she’s in the sun.

Get a jump-start on hay fever symptoms by taking allergy medications the first or second week of August, in advance of hay fever season, which starts midmonth.

Prevent fall indoor allergens by lowering indoor humidity during the summer months (with the help of a dehumidifier or air conditioner). Dust mites depend on a high-humidity summer for their autumn population explosion.

When using a window-unit air conditioner, try to leave the room for the first 30 minutes after turning it on. Some units emit short bursts of mold every time they start up. Chances are, it’s not enough mold to cause any problems (small amounts of mold are always present in the air), but if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, even small steps like this may help.

If you’re not sure what you’re allergic to, you can now have your allergies assessed through blood testing. A serum sample is sent to a lab and measured for antibodies to common allergens, such as pollen, dust, mold and animal dander.

Spring and fall allergies lead to watery, itchy eyes and sneezing, but summer allergens generally cause nasal stuffiness and excess mucous in the nose and throat.

Approximately 10 million Americans are allergic to cat dander, the most common pet allergen.

Food-allergic kids should carry two “epi” doses at all times. Children with a history of food-induced allergies may need more than one shot of epinephrine to halt a severe reaction.

As daily levels of ozone and pollutants from vehicle exhaust climb, so do children’s emergency room visits for asthma attacks.

The best way to get rid of germs on your hands is to wash with soap and clean running water for a full 20 seconds. 

Need another reason to wash up? Researchers at the University of Colorado have found that the average person carries about 150 bacterial species on their hands.

Secondhand smoke may cause 40 percent of all cases of rhinosinusitis, the chronic sneezing and running or stuffy nose ailment that plagues one in six U.S. adults, according to new research.

Help keep the air in your community clean. Check the air pollution levels in your area at AirNow.gov, and on days when particle pollution is expected to be high, avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

You can now check the outdoor air quality anytime, anywhere in the U.S. Visit AirNow.gov to find out if the air pollution levels in your area are good (green), moderate (yellow), unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange), unhealthy (red), very unhealthy (purple) or hazardous (maroon). At the red level and beyond, it’s possible that everyone will feel the effects of air pollution, and sensitive groups may experience more serious effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Throughout May, allergists from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology will offer free asthma screenings at 200 locations across the country. You can find a list of screening sites at AllergyAnd AsthmaRelief.org.  The site also offers online self-tests for those who can’t make it to a screening.

It’s important to replace your pillow regularly, but you can extend its life -- and keep sneezes and sniffles away -- by putting it into an allergy-proof case. This prevents dust mites, which can exacerbate allergies or asthma, from collecting in the pillow.

Wheezing is a whistle-like sound and a sign that your child may be having breathing problems. The sound of wheezing is most obvious when your child exhales but may sometimes be heard when he inhales. All wheezing should be checked by a doctor.

Throughout the spring months, keep windows closed during the high-pollen-count hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so indoor air can remain as clean as possible.

An allergy to animal dander can take two or more years to develop, and symptoms may not subside until months after ending contact with the animal.

To reduce allergens in your children’s rooms, remove items that collect dust, such as knickknacks and stacks of seldom-used books or magazines. Store toys, games and especially stuffed animals in plastic bins.

Studies have found that the capacity of a household teaspoon can vary, ranging from 1.5 to 9 milliliters. If you have to use a spoon to take liquid medicine, be sure to use a measuring spoon labeled “1 teaspoon” and follow instructions to the letter.

Incorrect use of antibiotics promotes antibiotic resistance, so don’t take them when you’re dealing with a cold or flu and definitely not for allergies.

It’s a myth that kids under the age of 2 do not get allergies. If you think your child has allergies, testing is appropriate at any age.

Would you believe: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season can continue into the spring months of April or May. So if you haven’t had the flu shot already, it’s not too late to protect yourself and your family.

The common cold typically lasts seven to nine days, but people feel the worst on days two through four. 

Linens, dishes and eating utensils should not be shared between people who are healthy and those who have a cold or flu. Always wash them thoroughly before sharing.

Surprising but true: You are more apt to catch a cold from shaking someone’s hand than from kissing them – on the cheek, that is.

A recent study found that only 15 percent of people dispense the right amount when pouring liquid medication, such as cough syrup. So be careful to use the dosing cup when taking medication or giving it to your child. Follow all dosing instructions carefully.

A cough is among the most common reasons patients see a physician. In fact, there are typically about 32.5 million office visits each year for complains of coughing.

Remove all food and crumbs from the family car every day to avoid food-borne bacteria from developing and creating an unhealthy environment. 

How many Americans wash their hands more than 10 times a day? Over half of the entire population.

Commercial airplanes use air filters that stop pathogens from spreading through the plane’s ventilation system.

When handling money, be aware that germs can remain on bills for an hour or longer. 

Be sure to moisturize your hands regularly, as small cracks in dry skin can be entry points for unwanted germs.

After washing your hands, always dry them completely. Germs are far more likely to survive on moist surfaces.

Flu symptom alert: About half of adults who have the H1N1 virus are reporting gastrointestinal problems.

You can have a cold or flu and spread it to others for a full 24 hours before you experience your first symptom.

When using a sanitizing gel, continue to rub hands until completely dry. Germs can attach more readily to -- and multiply more quickly on -- moist surfaces.

It's best to stay 6 feet away from someone who has the flu, because the virus spreads in droplets when people talk, cough or sneeze.