趕走壞情緒 益生菌短暫抗憂鬱

陽明大學醫學團隊研發「快樂益生菌」，可提升憂鬱民眾的腦內血清素、多巴胺濃度，降低壓力荷爾蒙，從腸道就能控制腦內情緒，改善大腦憂鬱因子。 聯合報系資料照

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沖泡一杯益生菌飲、喝瓶益生菌優酪乳，就能擊退憂鬱情緒？陽明大學醫學團隊研發「快樂益生菌」，可提升憂鬱民眾的腦內血清素、多巴胺濃度，降低壓力荷爾蒙，從腸道就能控制腦內情緒，改善大腦憂鬱因子。不過專家提醒，益生菌效果短暫，民眾仍須以藥物與行為治療才能改善憂鬱情緒。

益生菌吃下肚，就能左右大腦血清素與多巴胺濃度，陽明大學生化暨分生所教授蔡英傑解釋，若大腦是一台處理大小事的iPhone手機，腸道就像Apple watch，連結iPhone協助處理周邊資訊，腸道可比擬人類的第二大腦，或稱是「隱藏版大腦」。腸道內的上千種細菌與大腦連結，國際研究「菌腦腸軸線」可能影響人體神經傳導物質分泌，傳至大腦改變精神健康。

一名在兒童加護病房工作的護理師張小姐，常得面臨生離死別、家屬情緒，以及長期輪班、高壓工作環境等，時常胡思亂想難以入眠，雖未達憂鬱症程度，但負面情緒多。她嘗試服用益生菌一個多月，發現睡眠品質、對喜怒哀樂的感受逐漸獲得改善。

不過，益生菌效果短暫，蔡英傑說，臨床尚未證實益生菌的永久效果，且益生菌下肚後，通常一周會隨著腸道消化至體外，現階段僅能維持短暫效用。開業診所精神專科醫師陳嬿伊也表示，益生菌作用緩和，建議憂鬱症患者仍輔以藥物、行為治療，才能有效改善憂鬱症狀。

陳嬿伊指出，世界衛生組織（WHO）報告指出，2020年全球有三大疾病，憂鬱症將成為人類第二危險殺手，有15%憂鬱症患者會死於自殺。根據中研院最新研究報告也發現，國人20年來憂鬱症患者比率成長1倍，普遍診斷晚且就診率低。她建議，民眾應從日常保健尋找簡單維持心理健康的方法，像適度運動、調整作息、安排休閒活動等。

十大精神異常警訊

1.情緒改變：易心情低落或起伏大、煩躁、發脾氣。

2.個性改變：過去文靜內向，突然變得活潑或自我封閉。

3.思考改變：負面思考變多、愛鑽牛角尖或擔心他人對自己不利。

4.食欲改變：胃口變差或不餓也可吃進大量食物。

5.睡眠品質變差：生理時鐘亂、睡眠中斷、早醒、易作夢或睡很久，仍覺沒睡飽。

6.人際關係變敏感：易過度放大他人言行、多疑、沒安全感。

7.生活習慣改變：菸抽更多、慣性喝酒或大量喝咖啡提神（一日逾兩杯）。

8.自我價值觀改變：變得沒自信、易自責、或過度自信、自我膨脹等。

9.注意力、記憶力下降。

10.出現自律神經失調症狀：如頭痛、頭暈、胸悶、心悸、耳鳴、腸胃不適等，到各科看診檢查卻查不出病因。

資料來源:
http://health.udn.com/health/story/5964/1327813-%E8%B6%95%E8%B5%B0%E5%A3%9E%E6%83%85%E7%B7%92-%E7%9B%8A%E7%94%9F%E8%8F%8C%E7%9F%AD%E6%9A%AB%E6%8A%97%E6%86%82%E9%AC%B1

What Can Figs Do for You? - 吃無花果的益處

If you're serious about maintaining your health for the long run, you know that your diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables. Not all are created equal, however, so choose your five to eight daily servings wisely.

Figs, popular around the world since ancient times for both their culinary and medicinal purposes, are one of the most nutritious and tasty fruits around. They're good for more than just their taste, however! Recent studies have shown that they may be helpful in treating a range of medical concerns from diabetes to eczema. Before you add the ingredients for fig quick bread to your shopping list, consider some of the benefits that this fruit might have for your diet.

Figs and Your Appetite
Read about this nutritious fruit that some believe can lower cholesterol »

Well-loved for their sweet, mild flavor and multiple uses, figs are one of the richest plant sources for a variety of vitamins and minerals. They're particularly high in fiber and calcium. That alone is a great reason to consider slicing up a few as part of a nice salad or adding them to a savory chutney with dinner. Additionally, their high fiber content can also help alleviate constipation and keep you feeling full longer. If you’re looking to shed pounds, you might find a powerful ally in figs.

Calcium can help you ward off osteoporosis and a ton of other nasty ailments, too, and you won't find a better plant source of calcium than figs. Fig allergies and negative drug interactions are uncommon, so you can add a moderate number of them to your diet without worry.

Figs and the Skin
In some folk medicine traditions, figs are used to treat a variety of skin issues, such as eczema, vitiglio, and psoriasis. There haven't been any conclusive, scientific studies done that confirm their dermis-healing powers, but anecdotal evidence and preliminary research suggests that figs show promise in this field.

Figs are a good source of many enriching vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, and improving your overall health often balances your skin and helps with your circulation. If you feel like your skin is better when you eat more figs, enjoy! Your body will thank you, and your skin might, too.

Figs and Diabetes
It’s not just the fruits of this shrub that can help. Some evidence also suggests that the leaves of the fig shrub could help regulate the symptoms of diabetes. A 2003 study showed that fig extract can help to treat diabetes by normalizing blood fatty acid and vitamin E levels. Speak with your healthcare provider to see if this complementary treatment might be a good fit for your overall diabetes management program. It isn't a substitute for healthy eating, medications, or daily testing, but your doctor will be able to determine if this could be a tasty way to help you better manage your sugar levels.

Fig-Orange Chutney Recipe
Figs are a delicious way to increase your daily intake of important vitamins and minerals, so check Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Iranian cookbooks for recipes that may include this versatile fruit. Don't stop with figs, though — make sure you get a variety of vegetables and fruits in your diet to maintain your health. Mix it up and try fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors to be sure you're getting all your nutrients.

Fig chutney goes well with your favorite curries, as well as with more simple dishes like sautéed chicken breasts. This recipe uses dried fruits, which are high in antioxidants and fiber.

2/3 cup dried figs, halved
1/4 cup minced sweet onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 navel orange, peeled and chopped roughly
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary

In order to make the chutney, heat the canola oil in a skillet at medium-high heat until it starts to smoke. 
Then add the onions and cook for two minutes until they’re lightly browned. 
Add the garlic, and after 30 seconds add the orange juice and vinegar. 
Bring the mixture to a simmer and loosen any sticky brown bits. 
Toss in the figs and cook for 2 minutes or until they start to plump. 
Then remove from heat and add the orange and rosemary. 
Leave to cool.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/figs#2

預防過敏

要如何預防過敏，這對於過敏兒來說非常的重要，過敏是因為體質方面的影響而產生的反應，並不是每個人都會對過敏原發生反應；在日常生活中，有許多容易引起過敏的原因，但有些人碰了沒事，而對這些物質過敏的人才會發病。

假如發現自己對某些過敏原會有發病的症狀，請盡量不要再接觸這些過敏原，以免惡化了過敏現象！如果有需要外在的藥物來治療改善，就要請醫生診斷，並且開立適合的藥方來治療，但也要注意藥效的強度，如有引發不適請即早告知醫生。而日常必然會接觸到的過敏物質，則盡量用保護措施來防範，減少自己暴露在這些過敏原上。

常見的過敏原：

一、塵蹣就在你身邊：

不管家庭主婦把家裡打掃得多乾淨，都很難避免有塵蹣的存在，數量或多或少。塵蹣是一種 8 隻腳的微小的蛛形綱節肢動物，肉眼看不到，最喜歡生長在溫暖潮濕的環境中，適合生長的溫度為22℃~26℃、相對濕度為70％~80％。塵蹣是讓人頭痛的過敏原，這種過敏原來自塵蹣的排洩物或屍體的合成蛋白質，每一隻塵蹣能產生的排洩物量是牠們自身體重的 200 倍，常藏在有灰塵的地方，例如地毯、棉被、床單、床墊、床單、抱枕、枕頭、布玩偶，當拍動寢具的時候，灰塵在空氣中飄散，就可能會引起過敏患者的過敏症狀。

控制塵蹣的生長，可先從控制溼度做起。購買除濕機，將相對溼度調整到 50%以下，如果經濟許可，使用空氣清靜機，除了可以將塵蹣濾除，還可以去除空氣中的異味。而塵蹣喜歡吃人身上掉下來的皮屑和毛髮，因此保持居家環境乾燥和乾淨是遠離塵蹣的不二法則。

二、蟑螂是第二過敏原：

30％~50％的過敏體質患者與蟑螂有關，蟑螂是僅次於塵蹣，為第2常見的過敏原。一般家裡較為常見的蟑螂種類有美國蟑螂、德國蟑螂、東方蟑螂。蟑螂在取食的過程中，會嘔出部份消化食物，也會邊吃邊排糞便，因此被吃過的食物，不但會危害衛生，而且其具有臭腺，能分泌過敏臭液，食物便留有令人作嘔的難聞氣味，這氣味也會引起過敏患者的過敏症狀。

要滅蟑，有幾種常用的方法：

1. 斷絕蟑螂食物來源

垃圾桶密封或勤倒垃圾，碗盤使用後要立即清洗乾淨，桌上不要放置食物。

2. 使用殺蟲劑

一種是噴劑， 但是這種殺蟑方式， 容易讓空氣中瀰漫著噴劑的臭味；另一種是使用藥劑引誘蟑螂來吃。 由於蟑螂有彼此互吃糞便的習慣，沒吃藥劑的蟑螂吃了有吃藥劑蟑螂的糞便後 ，也會死掉， 因此有連鎖殺蟑的效果。 但不管是使用噴劑或藥劑，都應該放置在小朋友拿不到的地方，以免誤食。

3. 堵住蟑螂的進出口

例如水管（如排水孔加裝防蟑螂的排水蓋板，只允許排水， 蟑螂無法由排水孔爬進屋內 ）、窗戶（加裝紗窗並確定沒有破洞）等縫隙。

三、養寵物可能引起過敏：

另外一種常見的過敏原是寵物，一般最常見的寵物種類是貓狗。貓咪喜歡舔毛，唾液和皮屑是過敏原，養貓引起過敏的比例較高，養狗的影響較小。尤其貓咪的習性喜歡磨蹭人，這些過敏原就容易殘留在人的身上，引發過敏，因此家裡面有小寶寶，盡量不要養貓。 另養鳥則對呼吸道比較不好，可能引起咳嗽症狀。

如何有效防範過敏：

過敏疾病會恢復正常健康嗎？相信這是很多父母親所關心的話題。如果平常能注意生活作息和環境清潔，不要接觸到容易引起過敏的物質，這些過敏疾病就可以即早恢復，假如再加上能夠依照醫生的指示治療和服用合適藥物就可以讓過敏得到良好的控制。

日常生活要注意的事情除了生活環境清潔、過敏原和外在物質以外，平常飲食多避免油炸，因為這種料理方式容易引起過敏症狀。而運動則可以改善身體的狀況，但對於呼吸道過敏方面的孩子盡量不要在太乾冷的地方從事運動。運動前請記得暖身，這樣更能保護身體避免不必要的過敏現象發生。對於一些非醫生所開立的過敏健康品，請大家多注意來源和成份小心食用。

過敏的藥物治療：

如果兒童有類似感冒症狀但非感冒而是過敏反應時，表示身體已經有狀況發生，要按照主要部位做不同的治療。正確的使用藥物也非常重要，依照不同類型狀況來對症下藥，透過醫生診斷做最好的醫治方式。有些較嚴重的疾病需要長時間治療，所幸現在的醫療十分進步，相對帶來的副作用非常的少。例如很多氣喘的人現在可以使用噴劑或吸劑，來減輕食用藥物所帶來的副作用。當小孩們有這些過敏症狀發生時，一定要找專業的醫師幫忙治療。必需要有專業的診斷，才能對症下藥，了解病情來做最好的恢復。

資訊來源: http://kids.www.gov.tw/focus.php?kfm_id=75&kfd_id=196

Gluten Allergies Food List: What to Avoid & What to Eat - 麩質過敏食物清單：怎麼避免和吃什麼

If you have a gluten allergy, it's important to know what foods contain gluten. Learn about what foods contain gluten for those with a gluten allergy.

Part 1 of 6: Overview
A gluten allergy is the body's inability to digest or break down the gluten protein found in wheat and certain other grains. Gluten intolerance (also known as a gluten sensitivity) can range from a mild sensitivity to gluten to full-blown celiac disease. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about one out of every 133 Americans has celiac disease. This is a severe autoimmune disorder in which a person's immune system attacks gluten, if consumed, in the small intestine.

Part 2 of 6: Causes of Gluten Allergy
Although the exact cause of gluten intolerance is unknown, most theories revolve around changes in the way that wheat is grown and processed. One theory states that wheat is higher in gluten than it once was because it makes bread "springier" and easier to slice. Another possible cause is the way wheat is grown at a higher rate — bred to produce higher yields or to make it disease-resistant.

For those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance is not just an inconvenience — it can be debilitating. In such cases, you must not eat any foods containing gluten. Gluten can cause long-term damage to your small intestine, and may result in nutritional deficiencies. Currently there are no known cures or effective treatments for celiac disease. Diet is still the most effective “cure” and preventative measure.

A simple blood test that measures levels of antibodies associated with celiac disease can reveal if you have the condition. However, tests for gluten intolerance often come back negative. This may cause you to believe it’s okay to eat gluten, even though it may lead to symptoms such as fatigue or irritability.

Part 3 of 6: What to Avoid
Wheat is one of the main staples of a Western diet and is public enemy number one for those with a gluten allergy.

In addition to pure wheat, all of its forms are also off-limits. This includes:
wheat starch
wheat bran
wheat germ
couscous
cracked wheat
durum
einkorn
emmer
farina
faro
fu (common in Asian foods)
gliadin
graham flour
kamut
matzo
semolina
spelt

The list of gluten-containing grains doesn't end at wheat. Other offenders are:
barley
bulgur
oats (oats themselves don't contain gluten, but are often processed in plants that produce gluten-containing grains and may be contaminated)
rye
seitan
triticale and Mir (a cross between wheat and rye)
Gluten may also show up as ingredients in barley malt, chicken broth, malt vinegar, some salad dressings, veggie burgers (if not specified gluten-free), and soy sauce. The protein may even hide in many common seasonings and spice mixes.

Part 4 of 6: What to Eat
The list of off-limit items may seem daunting at first. Thankfully, there are plenty of replacements on the menu. Lots of foods are naturally gluten-free, including:
fruits and vegetables
beans
seeds
legumes
nuts
potatoes
eggs
dairy products
corn
rice
fish
lean beef
chicken

Many other grains and foods are gluten free as well:
amaranth
arrowroot
buckwheat
cassava
millet
quinoa
rice
sorghum
soy
tapioca

It may seem daunting to go gluten-free at first. But for many, the advantages far outweigh the inconvenience. The first step is to get rid of all the gluten-containing products in your kitchen and stock it with alternatives such as gluten-free breads, pasta, crackers, and cereals. For baking, use substitute flours. These can include:
buckwheat
corn
millet
rice
sorghum
quinoa

You'll need xanthan gum or guar gum as a substitute for gluten when baking. Stick to unprocessed, fresh, whole foods to naturally stay gluten-free.

Read More: Try these gluten-free desserts

Part 5 of 6: Eating Out
Eating at restaurants can be particularly challenging when considering a gluten allergy, but this doesn’t mean you can’t ever dine out. You should be able to dodge the gluten bullet if you stick with the same types of items you eat at home, such as grilled meats and steamed vegetables.

Foods to avoid in restaurants include fried foods, certain sauces, or anything that has been fried in the same pan with a gluten-containing food.

Celiac disease requires extra caution when eating out. Make sure that dietary restrictions are communicated to the chef in advance. Certain restaurants are almost certainly out of question for those on a gluten-free diet, including fast food restaurants, buffets, salad bars, and most bakeries. On the flipside, some establishments, such as vegetarian restaurants, cater to the gluten-free diet.

Part 6 of 6: Outlook
If you have celiac disease, being gluten-free is essential for your health. A gluten-free diet may seem too challenging to deal with, but with time — and a bit of effort — it can become second nature. If you can, start off gradually, so you can get used to going gluten-free. For example, you might try one completely gluten-free meal per day and gradually add more meals until gluten is completely out of your diet. Also, a gluten-free diet is easier if you shop at stores and eat at restaurants that cater to your dietary needs. If you want complete control (and guarantee that your food is gluten-free), cooking from scratch is the easiest way to avoid gluten. Discuss any specific dietary considerations with a doctor or nutritionist.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/gluten-food-list#WhattoEat4

益生菌知多少？

說到「益生菌」(probiotics)，有些人只會想到益力多，或想到乳酪。其實，什麼叫益生菌？ 根據世衛定義，益生菌是「一些微生物，當適量的進入人體內，會對健康產生好處」。人類對益生菌的興趣，早到公元前已有出現，傳統的發酵食品和奶類，就是含益生菌的食品。時至今日，益生菌的魅力未減，由於香港人生活忙碌，腸胃健康日差，市面上越來越多益生菌的產品，大家對這種保健品的興趣增加。在選購之前，大家應該先了解以下益生菌的基本知識，以免被商業宣傳誤導。

益生菌、益生原、合生元是甚麼?

　當你仔細一看益生菌產品的盒子，都不難發現一些複雜的菌名。益生菌分為兩類，分別是乳酸桿菌 (Lactobacillus) 及雙歧桿菌 (Bifidobacterium)，每類菌再細分為不同品種，由兩個拉丁文構成名稱，例如最常見的嗜酸乳酸桿菌 (Lactobacillus Acidophilus)和分歧雙歧桿菌 (Bifidobacterium bifidum)。還有一些根本不屬於細菌(bacteria)，但仍是常見的益生菌，如布拉酵母菌 (Saccharomyces boulardii)，是一種酵母菌 (yeast)，要特製為膠囊方可服用。除了益生菌，還有所謂「益生原」(prebiotics)，益生原是一些不能消化的食物原素 (如FOS)，在腸道內可以選擇性刺激益生菌生長。若兩者配合一起使用，稱為「合生元」(synbiotics)。

　「到底吃益生菌是否只會幫助腸胃暢通？」在我執業的經驗來看，很多本地人、內地人都對益生菌不認識。從科學角度說明益生菌的功效，據2005年在美國由NCCAM舉行的大會討論結果，益生菌治療肚瀉的功效享有最高實證，尤其是由輪狀病毒引起的肚瀉，以嬰兒最常見；此外，益生菌在預防和治療女性尿道炎和陰道炎、改善腸易激綜合症、對付由服用抗生素引起的肚瀉，甚至預防小兒濕疹等方面，都被證實有一定功效。有醫生更建議孕婦服食益生菌，減低將來小兒患濕疹的機會。
 

益生菌活性是關鍵

　既然益生菌有用，那吃什麼產品才好？吃乳酪有用嗎？雖然乳酪是發酵食品，含益生菌，但活性如何是未知之數。在美國，乳酪生產商可進行「發酵後加熱處理」，此舉會殺死產品內大多數微生物。雖然政府部門會檢驗乳酪包裝時的活性微生物含量，每克超過108乳酸菌才會發認證，但作為發酵原材料的細菌也計算其中，它們不是益菌，吃了沒用。由藥廠製造的益生菌製劑，所含的活性益菌數量就有保證多了。

　不同菌種的功效有不同的科學實證，對我們選擇產品有一些提示。洛德乳酸菌(Lactobacillus reuteri) 有超過50份臨床報告支持，是最多臨床實證支持的菌種，科研發現它能改善嬰兒腸胃炎肚瀉、腸絞痛及預防濕疹；改善成人胃氣及消化不良、偶發性便秘或肚瀉、乳糖不耐、服用抗生素後的不適等。雷諾氏乳酸菌(Lactobacillus rhamnosus) 及嗜酸乳酸桿菌 (Lactobacillus acidophilus) 也有科學實證支持其減低小兒肚瀉的功效。製劑方面，除了傳統膠囊及粉末外，個別品牌的益菌製劑採用咀嚼片方式，不會被胃酸、膽汁殺死，活性令人滿意；亦有臨床數據證明孕婦及初生嬰兒都可服食，安全性高。關於購買和使用益生菌的詳情，可向藥劑師查詢。

資訊來源: http://hkhselderly.com/tc/health/question/275

Are Probiotics Effective for Ulcerative Colitis? - 益生菌能有效治療潰瘍性結腸炎？

Ulcerative Colitis and Bacteria
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine that causes bloody diarrhea, cramping, and bloating. The disease has an unusual course in that it is relapsing and remitting. There will be times that the disease is quiet and then it will flare up, causing symptoms. Standard medical treatment has two components: keeping the flare-ups from happening and treating the active flare-up when it occurs. Active flare-ups are often treated with corticosteroids like prednisone. For long-term maintenance, however, doctors and patients prefer drugs other than steroids. While the precise cause of ulcerative colitis is not known, it is believed to be related to problems with the immune system in the gut.1 In fact, current theories hold that an imbalance of gut bacterial flora (normal, healthy bacterial content of the bowel) may exacerbate the disease.2 

Can Probiotics Stop a Flare-up of Ulcerative Colitis?
Recently, a group of researchers collected and reviewed all the clinical studies that examined probiotics for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis—in a report called a systematic review—and found that probiotics do not shorten the duration of a flare-up when added to regular treatment. The researchers reviewed studies on several different types of probiotics and found that none was able to induce remission faster than placebo or no treatment.3 Likewise, no preparation of probiotics was able to resolve the clinical symptoms of the disease faster than people not taking probiotics, the control group. Interestingly, ulcerative colitis patients taking probiotics reported fewer and less-severe symptoms during the flare-up, according to this review of studies. In other words, while probiotics did not end the flare-up faster, the severity of symptoms was not as bad in patients taking probiotics. 

Are Probiotics a Useful Ulcerative Colitis Maintenance Treatment?
Some clinical studies have shown that probiotics may be as effective as traditional ulcerative colitis medications, including the gold-standard treatment mesalazine. German researchers followed a group of 327 patients with a history of ulcerative colitis, giving half of them the standard drug mesalazine and the other half probiotics (namely Escherichia coli Nissle 1917). After one year of treatment, the average time to remission was the same in both groups and the quality of remission (time without a flare-up) was the same in both groups.4 Similar results were seen in other studies. 5 Another probiotic, Lactobacillus GG, may also be helpful in sustaining remission in ulcerative colitis. 1

What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Probiotics?
So far, no serious side effects have been associated with prolonged use of probiotics in ulcerative colitis. In a systematic review of studies, the rate of side effects was the same in probiotics users as in those taking mesalazine.6 However, as these agents are cultures of living bacteria, caution should be used in patients with compromised immune systems (such as those on long-term corticosteroids). Generally speaking, the potential benefits of probiotics over traditional pharmacological interventions for ulcerative colitis are that they are potentially less expensive and possibly safer over long periods. They may also protect against other diseases of the bowel including Clostridium difficile colitis, travelers’ diarrhea, and diarrhea associated with prolonged use of antibiotics.

Probiotics are probably not useful in inducing a faster remission during a flare-up of ulcerative colitis, however, the preparations of healthy bacteria may make the symptoms less severe. Probiotics may be helpful in increasing the time between flare-ups. This benefit may be even more impressive when added to standard maintenance therapy. While probiotics are generally free of serious adverse events (side effects), it is important to consult with your physician before adding probiotics to your ulcerative colitis treatment regimen. This is especially important if you have a compromised immune system or are on high-dose corticosteroids. 

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/ulcerative-colitis-take-control-probiotics#2

10個常見的異位性皮膚炎疑問

1.這樣算是異位性皮膚炎嗎？

異位性皮膚炎是一種反覆瘙癢的皮膚炎，皮膚可能出現紅斑/脫屑/苔蘚化的症狀，

好發在嬰兒期/小兒期，最常出現在臉頰，額頭，脖子，耳朵後方，四肢外側。

比較特殊的是，包尿布的地方反而不受影響。而隨著發病年齡不同，好發的部位也會有所變化。

由於極度的瘙癢，有時候會抓道傷口流血流湯。

如果自己或家族，曾有過敏性鼻炎/氣喘/異位性皮膚炎等病史，就更有可能是異位性皮膚炎。

確定的病況還是需要尋找免疫科/皮膚科醫師就診。



2.異位性皮膚炎是一種過敏嗎？

過敏，是細胞對外來過敏原的免疫反應。反應在呼吸道叫氣喘，反應在皮膚就叫異位性皮膚炎。

異位性皮膚炎最忌抓，越抓越癢越抓越嚴重，

而日本氣候又比台灣更乾燥一些，所以日本的異位性皮膚炎比例比台灣高。



3.異位性皮膚炎會傳染嗎？

有些小朋友以為誤認為異位性皮膚炎是一種皮膚病，會傳染，而讓孩子在同儕之間產生自卑。

其實異位性皮膚炎是一種過敏的反應，他不會傳染。

但就因為是體質的過敏，所以是有可能會遺傳的。



4.要怎麼知道對誰過敏嗎？

異位性皮膚炎的患者中，容易產生過敏反應的食物有：蝦，蟹，蛋白，牛奶，花生，核果，小麥，柑橘，堅果，塵蟎，美國蟑螂，黴菌，貓/狗毛等等。

如果一般生活已經可以瞭解並控制過敏原，則不需要特別去做過敏原檢測。

如果對自己的過敏原仍然是無法抓的準，那麼做過敏原檢測或許是個方法。

不過有些人檢測對蛋過敏，但是吃了10年都沒事，

所以觀察自己身體的變化，比檢測的數據來的更重要喔！



5.過敏原會變嗎？

過敏會隨著誘發的因子，產生的症狀而漸漸演變，

所以有可能小時候的接觸的過敏原會誘發過敏反應，

但長大了之後，誘發因子過敏的因子就有所改變了。



6.異位性皮膚炎可以根治嗎？

有些人的異位性皮膚炎在1歲前發病，青春期不藥而癒。也有人的異位性皮膚炎是長大後才發病。

小兒科醫生說，每個人發病惡化的曲線都不一樣，沒辦法說幾歲以前一定會好。

不過這時候更是不能急病亂投醫，只要找對方法細心控制，還是能過一般正常的生活喔！



7.為什麼新生嬰兒會有異位性皮膚炎？

由於懷孕過程中嬰兒與母體之間的化學變化，使得新生兒剛出生的時候，其第二型Ｔ細胞的比例較高。

加上媽媽在懷孕的時候，很多食物會透過胎盤進到小朋友身上，讓小朋友產生過敏的因子。

在新生兒的免疫細胞(Ｔ細胞第一型與第二型)比例還沒有平衡之前，過敏的反應就會比較嚴重。

要等小朋友長大一點，第一型與第二型免疫細胞維持平衡之後，自身的免疫體質才會越來越好。



8.為何長大自然會好？有黃金治療時期嗎？

異位性皮膚炎的照護，在1歲～-1歲半以前，著重「吃」的照顧，因為吃會造成皮膚的症狀。

而2歲以後，著重「抓」的照護，因為2歲以後就天天抓。抓了以後就變成惡性循環。

如果小朋友出生就有異位性皮膚炎，

治療的黃金期是1.5歲以前，經過飲食控制治療好，就比較不會有問題。



9.長大以後還會復發嗎？

青春期或成年之後，仍飽受異位性皮膚炎困擾，可能是因為壓力，生活作息，情緒刺激等原因。

由於異位性皮膚炎是一種慢性病，需要長時間治療與配合，才能控制得當。



10.平常要怎麼照護異位性皮膚炎的肌膚？

由於異位性皮膚炎的皮膚乾燥，乾又會引發出癢，因此隨時補充皮膚的水分很重要。

而癢，就要戒抓！搔抓會造成皮膚的損傷，水份的滲出隨之而來，就可能引發病毒/細菌感染。

遠離過敏原-不論是環境類的或是飲食類，減少過敏原對身體的刺激，降低過敏反應。

資訊來源: http://www.questclear.com/qc/blog/view?t=atd&id=632

過敏性鼻炎

過敏性鼻炎又稱變應性鼻炎，是一種吸入外界過敏性抗原而引起的以鼻癢、打嚏、流涕等為主要症狀的疾病。由於過敏原呈季節性的增減或持續存在，本病的發病呈季節性或常年性。

典型症狀

1. 噴嚏：每天數次陣發性發作，每次多於3個，多在晨起或者夜晚或接觸過敏原後立刻發作。
2. 清涕：大量清水樣鼻涕，有時可不自覺從鼻孔滴下。
3. 鼻塞：間歇或持續，單側或雙側，輕重程度不一。
4. 鼻癢：大多數患者鼻內發癢。

預防

1. 找出自己對什麼東西過敏，將其去除，包括塵蟎、花粉、寵物、食物、傢俱等。
2. 若是對塵蟎過敏，一定要注意家居衛生，保持室內清潔無塵以減少塵蟎，用吸塵器清潔屋子。
3. 若是對花粉過敏，應該在花粉傳播季節儘量少出門，關閉門窗。即使出門也一定要做好防護措施，比如戴口罩。
4. 病人最好不要接觸和餵養寵物，以防止過敏。
5. 儘量不要吃易引起過敏的食物。如魚虾、雞蛋、牛奶、面粉、花生、大豆等

資訊來源: http://www.ift.edu.mo/TW/allergic-rhinitis/Home/Index/963

Food Allergy vs. Sensitivity: What’s the Difference? - 食物過敏與敏感：有什麼區別？

Overview
Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free…specialized diets are everywhere you look. But not everyone with special dietary needs has the same reaction to their offending foods. What’s the difference between being allergic to a food and being sensitive or intolerant to it?

The key difference between a food allergy and sensitivity is the body’s response. When you have an allergy, your immune system gets involved. If you have a sensitivity or intolerance, the reaction is largely triggered in the digestive system.

Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities and intolerances are far more common than food allergies, according to the British Allergy Foundation. Neither involves the immune system. Either a food triggers an intolerance in your digestive tract, where your body is unable to properly break it down, or the body reacts to a food you are sensitive to. For example, milk intolerance is where your body is unable to break down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Or if you are sensitive to histamines, you may get headaches after you eat foods that contain histamines.

You may be sensitive or intolerant to a food for a variety of reasons, including:

not having the right enzymes you need to digest a certain food
reactions to food additives like sulfites or artificial colors
psychological factors, like an extreme dislike of certain foods
pharmacological factors, like sensitivity to caffeine or other chemicals
sensitivity to the toxins naturally found in certain raw legumes like lima beans
The symptoms of intolerance are all digestive-related and can include: gas and bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, or nausea. Symptoms of food sensitivity vary.

Food Allergies
Your immune system is your body’s defense against invaders — whether bacteria or the common cold virus. You have a food allergy when your immune system identifies a protein in what you eat as an invader. It reacts by producing antibodies to fight it.

“A food allergy is an immune-mediated reaction to the food,” explains Farzan. “The most common type of food allergy is an Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reaction. IgEs are allergic antibodies which cause an immediate reaction due to release of chemicals, such as histamine, from mast cells.” 

Unlike a food intolerance or sensitivity, food allergies can be fatal. In extreme cases, ingesting or even touching a small amount of the allergen can produce an intense reaction.

Symptoms of food allergy include:

skin reactions, like hives, swelling, and itching
anaphylaxis, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, and, ultimately, death
digestive symptoms

The Difference in Symptoms
Symptoms of food intolerance include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and nausea.

Symptoms of food allergy include hives, swelling, itching, anaphylaxis, and dizziness.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/food-allergy-sensitivity-difference#FoodAllergies3

幼兒食物過敏急救方

食物過敏的影響主要在於皮膚、胃腸道及呼吸道。當家長在用餐中或後，發現孩子出現如下述的異常症狀時，就要提高警覺，孩子有可能是食物過敏了！

◎    皮膚方面：「急性蕁麻疹」為最常見的臨床表現，包括手腳、臉、全身皮膚起疹、發癢，嘴唇紅腫、眼睛癢、眼睛浮腫等。

◎    胃腸道方面：常見的症狀為肚子痛、拉肚子、噁心、嘔吐等。

◎    呼吸道方面：包括流鼻水、鼻炎、打噴嚏、喉嚨不適及聲音沙啞等，過敏嚴重時，甚至出現喉頭水腫，覺得呼吸困難。


您可以先這樣做──食物過敏急救方
當孩子出現的過敏狀況不算嚴重，或是在送醫院的途中時，有幾個急救方可以先減緩孩子的不適感，耕莘醫院新店總院小兒科主治醫師傅承偉表示，若家中有孩子之前治療流鼻水的藥物（即抗組織胺藥物），可以先讓孩子服用，服用的劑量則和治療流鼻水的劑量相同，可以幫助緩和孩子過敏的症狀。

另外，若孩子因皮膚紅疹而搔癢不斷時，可在局部使用濕疹藥膏或金貝比痱子膏（一般家庭常用的藥膏，如小護士、綠油精等，傅承偉醫師認為實際效用不大，不過對孩子來說，可能有心理上的安撫作用），以降下溫度、減少紅腫帶來的不適感。


以前不會過敏，不代表以後也不會
常常有人以為，我吃某樣東西好多次了，都不曾有過敏，怎麼可能現在會突然過敏？新店耕莘醫院營養組組長康甄真提出，越常吃的食物所造成的過敏往往越普遍，例如在日本，對米過敏的人比其他地方多，而在北歐，對鱈魚過敏者也較為常見。

此外，食物過敏也不一定是由食材本身所引起，製作過程中使用的人工食品添加物：如人工色素、防腐劑、氧化劑、香料…等化學物質，都可能是引發食物過敏的兇手！


知識篇：食物過敏的發生與治療
我們在吃東西的時候，也同時把食物中所含的過敏原帶到了胃腸道裡，當這些過敏原突破了胃腸道的屏障，再加上個別體質的差異，便可能引發一連串的免疫反應而造成種種不同的過敏表現。

常見的食物過敏，主要來自於食物中的蛋白質。當這些含有蛋白質的食物經過人體吸收後，會刺激免疫系統、產生免疫球蛋白抗體。如果數量過多，則會活化細胞，使其釋放出組織胺，而讓人產生過敏的現象。

另一種食物過敏，則與免疫系統無關，而是因為人體對某些食物的特殊成分無法適應所引起的。例如有些人吃草莓、巧克力等，會出現皮膚過敏；有些人則對味精敏感；也有些人會因為吃了某些食物而產生偏頭痛。


常見！易造成過敏的食物種類
一般而言，會造成過敏的食物可分為以下幾類：

1.海鮮類：帶殼海鮮如蝦、蟹、貝類及不新鮮的魚，因為不新鮮的魚會釋放組織胺，造成過敏的症狀。

2.含人工食品添加物的食物：如人工色素、防腐劑、抗氧化劑、香料…等，這些化學物質在日常食品中經常可見，如：市售飲料（汽水、果汁、茶…等）、醬菜、醬油、黃色布丁、黃色糖果、五香豆干、牛肉干、各種罐頭食品、泡麵、零食（糖果、餅乾、蜜餞…）等。

3.豆莢類：花生、大豆。

4.核果類：核桃、腰果、杏仁、胡桃。

5.含咖啡因者：巧克力、咖啡、可樂、茶、可可。

6.水果：芒果、草莓、蕃茄、奇異果、水蜜桃、柳丁、橘子、哈密瓜。

7.其他：蛋類、奶類、小麥、殘留農藥的青菜。


食物過敏的治療方法
治療方法有兩種：

1. 去除引起過敏的食物：是主要的治療方法，但如果必須同時去除多種食物，則要考慮營養不足的問題，尤其當對象為小孩時。

2.藥物治療：用於解除食物過敏所引發的種種症狀，使用的藥物包括「抗組織胺」及「類固醇」。「抗組織胺」用於治療蕁麻疹、血管水腫、結膜炎和鼻炎等和組織胺釋放有關的食物過敏反應，一般採用口服方式，狀況較緊急時會使用針劑的抗組織胺。「類固醇」則使用於嚴重過敏反應的暫時性治療。


預防食物過敏再發生的5種方法
1.已經知道自己會過敏的食物就不要吃。

2.不新鮮的魚類食品不要吃。不新鮮的海產，會產生大量組織胺而促成過敏反應，不論有沒有過敏體質，都可能因此產生過敏。

3.吃東西前詳閱食物標示，確認有沒有會引起過敏的成份，有些食品外表看不出來裡面倒底含有哪些成分，一定要注意。

4.六歲以下的幼童約有1～3%對食物過敏，尤其嬰幼兒最多。對牛奶過敏的嬰兒，最好能夠以母乳哺餵。或者在專家的指導下選用低過敏原的水解蛋白配方奶粉。

5.有過敏體質的寶寶，建議在6個月以後再添加副食品。而且每次只讓寶寶嘗試一種新食物，若無不良反應，3～5天後才可以換另一種新的副食品。

資訊來源: http://www.mababy.com/knowledge/article.aspx?aid=69303B59D6A65501

為什麼過敏的孩子愈來愈多？

過敏被稱作文明病，罹病人口在許多開發與開發中國家，都呈現增加趨勢，問題愈來愈嚴重。雖然會不會過敏與你的體質（基因）有絕對關係，但環境也扮演重要推手。醫界與公衛學界認為至少有幾個環境因子，可以解釋過敏的流行病學。

1. 衛生假說（環境太乾淨）
有一派學者認為，環境太過乾淨反而使得愈來愈多人過敏。他們主張，在孩童時期需要接觸一些細菌，以培養免疫系統的功能運作正常。一些研究者也認為，即使成人的免疫系統已發育完成，適度暴露於一些細菌，也可能有益。

最近幾年，免疫學家認為，1 ∼ 5 歲孩童正值免疫系統的發展期，有時候還是要在這時期讓小孩的免疫系統得到適當訓練，將來才會變得對環境比較有抵抗力，也降低過敏反應的嚴重度。

台大醫學院臨床醫學研究所教授江伯倫解釋，小時候曾接觸一些細菌、病毒感染，提高人體對抗這類感染的第一型免疫反應（Th1），過敏屬於的第二型（Th2）免疫反應會受到控制，相對較低。環境太乾淨，無法適度發展第一型免疫反應，一旦第二型過敏免疫反應出現，「可能一下子變得很高，」江伯倫指出。

有些研究者對一種叫內毒素（endotoxin）的死細菌的遺骸特別感興趣。內毒素在動物身上尤其豐富。2002 年一篇發表在《美國醫學會期刊（JAMA）》的研究指出，小孩在1 歲內接觸兩種或更多寵物，到六、七歲時，對塵蟎、草和貓狗等過敏的機率，比那些都沒有接觸過寵物的小孩少了一半。研究者認為，這種跟寵物等的接觸，至少要從小孩出生後不久直到兩、三歲，每天共處，才能奏效。

預防孩子過敏，不需遠離貓狗
澳洲一項發表在2011 年《過敏與臨床免疫學》的研究，還給寵物一個清白：幼年養過貓狗的人，到了青少年階段，鼻子過敏的比率反而比較低。研究人員從歐洲和澳洲找來近8500 個民眾參加研究，其中超過四分之一的人有鼻子過敏症狀（包括流鼻水、眼睛癢、喉嚨痛等）。

結果發現，跟5 歲前沒養寵物的人相比，住在農場的孩子到了青少年期，鼻子過敏的比率降低了30％；而家裡養貓或養狗，鼻子過敏的比率各降低了15％。研究也發現，家裡兄弟姊妹多或上托兒所的孩子，長大後鼻子過敏的比率比較低；而家族有過敏病史、母親懷孕時抽菸，則可能讓孩子過敏的風險較高。研究主持人、澳洲墨爾本大學的麥瑟森（MelanieMatheson）博士建議父母，不必為了預防孩子過敏而不敢養寵物（尤其是狗）；事實上，養寵物可能有助保護孩子免於過敏。

另方面，專家並不是要我們自此就不讓小孩乾淨清爽，畢竟，潔淨的環境可避免致命的疾病上身，只是建議或許不妨稍微放寬對環境的要求標準。

台大公共衛生學院教授林瑞雄與台大醫學院環境職業醫學科教授郭育良等人的調查曾發現，父母親的教育程度愈高，小孩氣喘的比例愈多。郭育良認為，這可能與教育程度高的父母對孩子過度保護、太重視清潔習慣，以致小孩很少接觸一些平常可見的感染有關。

2. 氣候變遷
「溫度每增加攝氏1 度，被醫生診斷出有氣喘的盛行率會增加10％，」郭育良指出，氣喘患者絕大部份是因塵蟎引起，塵蟎過冬會死掉，但如果冬天的溫度與濕度高，研究也發現，家裡兄弟姊妹多或上托兒所的孩子，長大後鼻子過敏的比率比較低；而家族有過敏病史、母親懷孕時抽菸，則可能讓孩子過敏的風險較高。研究主持人、澳洲墨爾本大學的麥瑟森（MelanieMatheson）博士建議父母，不必為了預防孩子過敏而不敢養寵物（尤其是狗）；事實上，養寵物可能有助保護孩子免於過敏。

另方面，專家並不是要我們自此就不讓小孩乾淨清爽，畢竟，潔淨的環境可避免致命的疾病上身，只是建議或許不妨稍微放寬對環境的要求標準。台大公共衛生學院教授林瑞雄與台大醫學院環境職業醫學科教授郭育良等人的調查曾發現，父母親的教育程度愈高，小孩氣喘的比例愈多。郭育良認為，這可能與教育程度高的父母對孩子過度保護、太重視清潔習慣，以致小孩很少接觸一些平常可見的感染有關。

3. 空氣污染
空氣污染可能激發更多呼吸道過敏問題。醫界發現，像一氧化碳、二氧化硫等汽機車廢氣，會使人的氣管發炎惡化。林瑞雄教授與郭育良教授等人，在1996 年對全台做的研究發現，汽車等交通污染愈多的區域，氣喘盛行率就愈高（而氣喘很大部份是因過敏引起的）。其中台北市、台南市、高雄市的氣喘盛行率大於11％。另方面，居住環境愈趨封閉，從平房改住高樓大廈，門窗緊關、採用中央空調，造成空氣不流通，也有利於過敏原生長。調查曾發現，如果把居家窗戶打開，讓室內空氣流通，塵蟎等過敏原的量可以降低一半左右，江伯倫教授指出。

4. 濫用抗生素
已有研究顯示，小孩在1 歲前使用抗生素或退燒藥，日後得氣喘與各類過敏的機率會提高。即使是大人，濫用抗生素也會增加過敏的風險。濫用抗生素，一味殺掉環境裡的細菌，不僅會讓人體的免疫系統無法全面發展，並且也把人體腸胃道裡面的益生菌都殺死，反而不利。
當腸胃道裡的好菌被抑制，胃腸黏膜的功能降低，就不能有效阻止還沒經消化的食物分子進入血流。這些擅入血液的分子會被免疫軍隊偵測成「危險的」，因此激發食物過敏並可能使你對其他過敏原更敏感。

5. 飲食西化、吃太多加工食品
飲食愈西化，多油、高熱量，將使得我們體內分泌愈來愈多，包括前列腺素、白三烯素等發炎物質。體內這類物質愈多，一旦過敏發作，症狀就會愈嚴重。

一些學者認為，現代人吃了太多加工食品（例如糖果、餅乾等），所有那些碳水化合物很快地在人體內轉化成糖。過多的糖如同過多的抗生素，促使腸內的酵母菌分泌更旺盛，干擾你的胃腸黏膜功能，替過敏反應造橋鋪路。

本身是台大小兒過敏免疫風濕科主治醫師的江伯倫，在門診中也發現，許多媽媽提到小孩子喝多了可樂、吃多了巧克力，過敏症狀就較嚴重。他認為，這可能與這類食品熱量偏高有關。吃巧克力更要特別注意，因為巧克力可能還添加花生、核果等，而花生核果本身可能就是過敏原。

另方面，對腸壁有益並可避免過敏的食物，像Omega-3脂肪酸、抗氧化物、蛋白質等，一般人又吃得不夠。這些營養素可降低與大部份過敏症狀有關的發炎反應，同時又讓你的免疫系統保持最佳運作狀態。也有一派學者懷疑，在嬰幼兒的免疫與消化系統還不夠成熟到足以適應前，不該太早給嬰兒吃花生等可能的過敏原，因為一旦小嬰兒不能消化某種食物，他對這個食物過敏的機率會較高。

另外，小兒科醫師莊靜芬懷疑，小嬰兒過敏病例增多，可能與媽媽餵奶方式錯誤，造成小孩神經系統處於緊張有關。她建議，媽媽替小嬰兒餵奶後（最好餵母奶），不要以拍打嬰兒背部的方式幫助嗝氣，因為拍打會讓孩子的神經系統突然受刺激而緊張。媽媽不妨改採以食指、中指、無名指三指併攏，輕慢溫柔地從嬰兒頸部往下按摩到腰部。

資訊來源: http://www.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5055801

三大都市過敏症

據本港流行病學統計，過敏症可能是最多人罹患的長期疾病，當中以鼻敏感、哮喘及濕疹最普遍。有些個案甚至由童年起被過敏問題糾纏至成年，仍未能根治。究竟怎樣才可改善？今天（7月8日）乃世界過敏性疾病日，大家不妨參考中醫的防患方案。　
　
　　註冊中醫彭明慧認為，過敏症病因分為先天及後天。先天稟賦不足如遺傳基因、初生嬰兒免疫系統尚未成熟等，均易令人體出現過敏反應。後天因素，多由不良生活習慣引起。「熬夜、飲寒食冷、常吃煎炸辛辣食物，又或過分緊張及疲勞都會令過敏症病發。」另一主要原因是環境因素，「中醫稱之為外邪，例如過量接觸含高化學劑物品如護膚及化妝品、油漆、清潔劑等，又或起居環境充斥貓毛、塵、花粉屑等。」

　　鼻敏感、哮喘、濕疹可謂過敏症中最常見的三種，「鼻敏感主要因臟腑功能失調所致，其中以肺氣虛為主因。」彭醫師指，若肺臟本身較弱，會易被病毒入侵，再凝結於鼻竇，灼傷鼻竇肌膜，引發病徵。另飲食欠節制，過度疲勞，損害脾臟，也易致脾胃虛弱引發鼻敏感。

　　哮喘（氣管敏感）主要與肺、脾、腎三臟關係密切，病因分主因和誘因。主因：體內過多痰濕蘊積，屢感風寒或飲寒食冷，傷及肺氣而形成寒痰，又或過食甘肥辛燥之品，內釀痰熱，上積滯於肺而成熱痰。誘因則外邪如風、寒、暑、濕、燥、熱入侵；飲食不節、情志不舒、過度勞累及冷暖急劇變化等，令病情加劇。濕疹分內、外因素，包括血熱、脾虛、風邪及濕重等，整體病因較複雜，例如病人脾胃功能是否正常，與濕重關係密切，由於內因存在脾虛，身體便無法消除由外界環境入侵體內的濕，便引發濕疹。

資訊來源: 
https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E4%B8%89%E5%A4%A7%E9%83%BD%E5%B8%82%E9%81%8E%E6%95%8F%E7%97%87-223000752.html

Common Fall Allergens and How to Fight Them - 常見的過敏原及解決方法

Part 1 of 6: Fighting Back Against 4 Autumn Allergies
When it comes to seasonal allergies, most people immediately think of the pollen explosion in the springtime. But an itchy throat, teary and red eyes, sniffles, and sneezing aren’t relegated to April and May alone. When the leaves start to fall and the air cools, a host of allergens can cause the same set of symptoms.

Part 2 of 6: Rid Yourself of Ragweed

A single ragweed plant can produce up to 1 billion grains of pollen per season. This yellow flowering weed blooms in August but causes allergic symptoms well into the fall, until the first freeze kills the plant. It grows nationwide but is most prevalent in rural areas of the East and Midwest. Approximately 75 percent of people who suffer springtime allergies will also be affected by ragweed pollen, according to theAsthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Plan of Attack

Monitor your local pollen count. Most local newspapers and TV news websites publish a daily report. Stay indoors as much as possible, especially during peak hours (usually mid-morning to early afternoon). If you have to go outside, wear a painter’s mask to filter pollen.

Keep home and car windows completely closed. Take off your shoes and jacket before entering your home. You don’t want to track in any pollen that you’ve picked up outside. Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly.

Wash your clothes, linens, and curtains regularly. Don’t line dry your laundry outdoors. Bathe your pets — especially outdoor dogs and cats — frequently.

Part 3 of 6: Mold & Mildew

These fungi thrive both outdoors and indoors. They grow from and produce spores that, like pollen, are spread by the wind or indoor air. Mold and mildew tend to grow year-round. In the fall, they grow on damp fallen leaves and compost piles. They thrive in damp areas indoors like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Unlike pollen, mold and mildew aren’t killed by the first frost, but they do tend to go into a dormant phase during the winter months.

Plan of Attack

Rake your yard of fallen leaves and remove leaves from gutters. Don’t leave piles of leaves in your yard. Keep compost and yard-waste piles far away from the house, and wear a protective mask when raking leaves and cleaning compost bins. Be sure to empty bins regularly.

Air should be between 35 and 50 percent humidity. Clean bathrooms and the kitchen regularly using vinegar or store-bought anti-mildew agents to avoid mildew and mold buildup.

Part 4 of 6: Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic arthropods that feed primarily on flakes of human skin that are shed naturally around the home. They’re a common year-round allergen that thrives in temperatures ranging from the high 60s to mid 70s. Dust mites usually die in extreme temperatures or if the humidity drops below 70 percent.

It’s next to impossible to completely rid your home of dust mites. But you can take steps to keep them at a manageable level.

Plan of Attack

Clean air vents throughout the house before turning the central heating unit on for the first time after summer. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof covers (dust mites love the bedroom). Regularly wash all bedding in hot water (130°F or higher).

Use a dehumidifier to keep the air below 50 percent humidity. Dust and vacuum your home regularly, and be sure to wear a filtering mask while cleaning. Consider installing hardwood floors instead of wall-to-wall carpet.

Part 5 of 6: Tidy Up Pet Dander & Fur

Pet dander is comprised of dead skin that is shed by animals in the home. Up to 40 percent of people with seasonal allergies also have pet allergies. Pet allergies are triggered by an extra-sensitive immune system reacting to dander, fur, saliva, or urine from pets.

Some dog breeds cause more reactions than others. Saint Bernards and bulldogs are among the worst offenders. Cats are twice as likely as dogs to cause allergic reactions in people.

Plan of Attack

Avoid contact with furry pets, especially cats and dogs, if you have known allergies. If you’re set on having a family pet, consider breeds that are hypoallergenic, such as Havanese and Schnauzers. Wash and groom pets regularly. Wearing a filtering mask can help keep your allergies in check.

Consider only allowing pets in specific areas of the home and keep them off furniture. Keep litter boxes and pet bedding away from air vents, and use an air purifier to help clean the air of pet allergens.

Part 6 of 6: Treatment-Medication and Immunotherapy

For many people, fall allergies can be controlled with over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications that contain antihistamine. They usually come in the form of pills, lozenges, eye drops, or nasal sprays.

Neti pots with a saline rinse can be used to treat symptoms of allergies. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be an effective option if you have severe allergies that don’t respond to over-the-counter options. The shots work by gradually exposing the immune system to a certain allergen so it can build up a tolerance.

Preparing yourself against allergies doesn’t mean standing guard at the window in fear of pollen and other allergens. Taking the precautions mentioned above can help make your allergies more manageable throughout the year.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/fall-allergens#Treatment6