My Life as an Asthma Mom

  (https://www.aafa.org/allergy-capitals/) Yes, I'm writing about allergies AGAIN. Our family is already miserable this year.  AAFA (Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America) , has just released this year's list of the worst places to live for allergies.  For all of you fans of "The Office", you know all about Scranton, Pennsylvania. Personally, I have never watched The Office........ don't hate me! Michael Scott's city of Scranton is the Number 1 worst place for allergies (yes, I had to Google the name of the boss on The Office - sorry Office fans!) So how does AAFA score the cities?  AAFA looks at: Fall and spring pollen levels Use of over-the-counter allergy meds How many board-certified allergists  Pollen levels We have a local allergy offices who posts the pollen count on their Facebook page. If you want to know the pollen count for your area, you can look on the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) Pollen Counts. You can also create an account through NA

  Last week, our family of 5 all starting having problems with allergies ......already! It's mid February, and our usually snowy state has not been getting our usual snow storms. In fact, one of our storms went around us and ended up in Texas. They aren't used to the snow and most of Texas hasn't had power for days.  I guess they are all trying to keep warm, and that's straining the power system in Texas.   But our state is mostly dry and warm With the warm and dry temperatures here,  we are already having pollen.  I thought it was too early for pollen, but with an unseasonably warm and dry winter, spring has decided to arrive early. I could tell because all 5 of my family members (who live in different areas of the state) starting complaining about allergies the same week.  Hmmm When To Start On Allergy Meds   I was just listening to a national allergy and asthma webinar and the presenter said he tells his patients to start on allergy medicine BEFORE allergy season sta

   A year ago, we were watching the news and seeing people in other countries dealing with the pandemic. Most were not allowed to leave their homes - and if they were, they were wearing masks.   Fast forward a year, and masks are part of our every day routine.  Before I leave the house, I think: Keys -  wallet - mask  I have a bag of masks in my office, my car and my purse. You never know when you might need a clean one.  As a life long asthma sufferer, I always wear a mask. I want to protect myself from any sick people that are coughing or sneezing near me. My three adult children and I have a habit of getting pneumonia or bronchitis at least once a year. Long before people jumped on the Germophobe bandwagon, we were carrying hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes (in the car and purse) and carefully washing our hands.  Yet, we still managed to get sick - and end up in the hospital. In fact - my kids were in the hospital 12 times for asthma  and 2 of those were ICU. Most of those were th