Well, for many parts of the country, this is the worst season for pollen and mold counts ON RECORD. At least, that's what I was told when I went, panicked, to the doctor Monday.
You see, I had life-threatening asthma as a child, triggered by dander, feathers, molds, pollens, dust, eggs, dairy, etc. If it was an allergen, it would cause me to go into an anaphylaxis or asthma attack. I took years of allergy shots and was cured- never to have a reaction to anything as an adult.
Sooooo....I've had trouble breathing lately, and I went to the Dr. because I could feel my chest closing in when I went anywhere near my coops. BADLY.
I'm now on a rescue inhaler, a sinus steroid, an inhaled steroid, prescription antihistamines and medical grade particle masks. That's sexy!!
Fortunately, Dr. thinks it's simply a cumulative response to the overwhelming numbers of allergens in the atmosphere right now, and she is seeing tons of patients without any prior allergic response. It's everyone, not just me.
At any rate, don't ignore your body's response if you feel a bit tight in the chest around your flock. Even if this is a recurrence of the feather allergy, which is unlikely since all other allergens are equally or more greatly at play here, it can be mitigated and doesn't have to turn into a problem.
Protect yourself.
A mask worn when cleaning will also protect your from histoplasmosis and hantavirus, both of which can be life-threatening. They are in the air, and you won't know until later if you've inhaled a particle of doom.
Cover your face to cover your butt.
You see, I had life-threatening asthma as a child, triggered by dander, feathers, molds, pollens, dust, eggs, dairy, etc. If it was an allergen, it would cause me to go into an anaphylaxis or asthma attack. I took years of allergy shots and was cured- never to have a reaction to anything as an adult.
Sooooo....I've had trouble breathing lately, and I went to the Dr. because I could feel my chest closing in when I went anywhere near my coops. BADLY.
I'm now on a rescue inhaler, a sinus steroid, an inhaled steroid, prescription antihistamines and medical grade particle masks. That's sexy!!
Fortunately, Dr. thinks it's simply a cumulative response to the overwhelming numbers of allergens in the atmosphere right now, and she is seeing tons of patients without any prior allergic response. It's everyone, not just me.
At any rate, don't ignore your body's response if you feel a bit tight in the chest around your flock. Even if this is a recurrence of the feather allergy, which is unlikely since all other allergens are equally or more greatly at play here, it can be mitigated and doesn't have to turn into a problem.
Protect yourself.
A mask worn when cleaning will also protect your from histoplasmosis and hantavirus, both of which can be life-threatening. They are in the air, and you won't know until later if you've inhaled a particle of doom.
Cover your face to cover your butt.
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