Newswise — Gottlieb Allergy Count, the official allergy count for the Midwest, reports the mold count today is 35,000, a high for 2013, but well under the 50,000 threshold that signals a dangerous air quality warning.
“The Midwest is moving into Fall and we are seeing more rain mixed with sunny, warm and humid temperatures which encourages mold growth,” said Dr. Joseph Leija, allergist, who performs the Gottlieb Allergy Count, the only consistent allergy count for the Midwest. “The temptation today is to open the windows and let the cooler air in, but for allergy sufferers, the air is not fresh but loaded with toxins.”
The official Gottlieb Allergy Count for Friday is: mold, high; weeds, low. "Today’s outdoor air may cause headaches, congestion and runny noses to those with sensitive respiratory systems," says Dr. Leija, who has performed the Gottlieb Allergy Count for more than two decades. “Keep windows closed and run the air conditioner to improve air quality.”
Dr. Leija will offer the Gottlieb Allergy Count until Tuesday, Oct. 15, for the 2013 allergy reporting season.
Tips from Dr. Leija to safeguard health include rinsing nasal passages with saline solution to remove trapped particles, washing your hair before sleeping at night and staying indoors in air conditioning.
Dr. Leija, allergist at Loyola’s Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, is solely certified by the National Allergy Bureau to perform the daily allergy count for the Midwest.
The Gottlieb Allergy Count is available free to the public through Twitter, @GottliebHealth; at www.GottliebHospital.org and at 1-866-4-POLLEN/(866) 476-5536.
RSS