Tim McGuiness

Asthma and Its Growing Impact on Children and Women Will My Child Outgrow His Or Her Asthma? Asthma is on the rise in both pre-school and school-age children, causing almost 3 million physician visits and 200,000 hospitalizations per year. In 50-80% of children, asthma starts before the age of 5. When a physician tells parents that their child has asthma, one of the first questions the parents ask is "Will my child outgrow asthma?" The answer is a resounding, "Maybe, maybe not." Continue reading →

Why I Have Allergies, Why They Make Me Sick, and What I Can Do About Them   Why do I have allergies? Can I develop allergies? As a retired Registered Nurse, I'm often asked questions just like this about allergy information. People want to know what makes them different from their friends who can enjoy the outdoors, pet their cats, and dust their house without a sniffle. Continue reading →

Why Home Humidity Control Matters Is It a Winter Cold or Allergies? Dust Mite Control Mold Control What is Relative Humidity? How Can I Control Home Humidity? Questions to Ask When Looking for a Dehumidifier Other Mold and Humidity Control Tips Is It a Winter Cold or Allergies? This is a tough question to answer in a few sentences, and especially without knowing your unique symptoms and their frequency. However, there could be more to your winter sniffles than it simply is the season for coughs and colds. I have a friend who seems to have chronic colds that last for months. She went to her parent's home in the mountains for the holidays and felt much better. It could be that the home cooking and time with family improved her symptoms, but maybe she is allergic to something found in her own home. Two common home allergens that are year-round problems are dust mite allergens and mold spores. The good news is both can be controlled in a variety of ways. If you suspect that your sniffles and congestion have lasted too long to be a simple cold, or your mucus is running clear, you might first consider visiting an allergist to see if mold, dust mites or other allergens may be causing your symptoms. Continue reading →

Washing Instructions If you have visited an allergist or read articles in our Learning Library, the subject of Laundry has certainly come up. One of the major steps in allergy proofing a home is to implement a regular washing regimen - about every two weeks for bedding. Before I go any further, it is important to lay out the allergist-recommended instructions for washing: Continue reading →

The Bucket Theory – Why Allergen Avoidance Works Against Allergens and Dust Mites General Information About Allergies And Dust Mites The Main Culprit – Dust Mites Some Smart and Easy Tips for Ridding Your Bedroom of Dust Mites #1 Use Dust Mite Proof Encasings on All Bedding #2 Wash Bedding in HOT Water or Use an Anti-Allergen Additive or Detergent...