Educational Support Groups

Our affiliated support groups take a break from meeting over the summer.

Send us your e-mail address (aafane@aafane.org) if you would like to receive announcements about meetings and programs that we are planning for the fall. (Please let us know where you live.)

The fall meeting schedule will be posted on this website as plans are finalized.

We need your support to run these programs.

Join AAFA New England now!

Click on Membership to print a form

or call the office to use a credit card or request a donation envelope (781-444-7778).

Don’t let allergies and asthma  ruin your summer fun!

We’ve been waiting for months to enjoy the sunny days of summer, but when they finally arrive there are still some important things to watch out for. Here are some reminders to help you avoid allergy and asthma flare-ups.

Pollen    Spring is the time of year most commonly associated with “seasonal” allergies, but various grasses and weeds continue to proliferate throughout the summer. In New England , ragweed is the number one culprit for fall allergy symptoms, which actually begin in August.  Don’t wait until your eyes itch and your nose starts running. Talk to your allergist about a prevention plan to keep ahead of the pollen that affects you. Check www.pollen.com, and sign up there to receive forecasts that identify the predicted pollen level and which plants are flourishing in your zip code. Whether you are hiking, gardening, or relaxing in the backyard, pollen is collecting on your hair, so an evening shampoo is a good idea to keep the pollen off your pillow.

Sun allergy   Some people with sensitive immune systems actually suffer from an allergic reaction to sunlight, which can take the form of “solar hives,” an itchy red rash, or tiny blisters. Protect your skin by using sunscreen, lip sunblock, and protective clothing (long pants, a shirt with long sleeves, and a hat with a wide brim). Most reactions are mild, but talk to your doctor about whether you need antihistamines or anti-itch skin creams, or to determine whether you are having a “photoallergic” eruption due to medications you are taking.

Smog    Breathing problems due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter are worsened when the temperature is high. Check on current air quality conditions and next day forecasts for New England at the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov.ne.aqi).  You can also sign up there to receive air quality alerts by e-mail when “bad air” days are predicted. It is best to limit outdoor activities and strenuous exercise on those days.

Thunderstorms that are common in the summer are preceded by an “updraft” that causes mold spores, pollen, and other fine particles to become airborne. So don’t be surprised if your symptoms start long before the first raindrops fall. That’s just one reason why your maintenance plan for controlling airway inflammation can be just as important in the summer months as when winter winds are blowing.

Vacation plans    You may be very careful about controlling mold and dust mites in your own home, but what about the nights you will be sleeping in that summer cabin or rarely-used guest room at Aunt Edna’s house? Be sure to ask the right questions in advance, so your vacation or family reunion isn’t spoiled by a stay in a place filled with allergens. In addition to checking your supply of medicines and reviewing your doctor’s plan for treating an asthma flare-up or allergic reaction, you may want to take along your own pillows, blankets, or allergy-proof encasings.

Food allergies can be more of a challenge when your family is away from home or out of your normal routines. Check our website (www.asthmaandallergies.org) for tips on eating out with food allergies, and don’t forget to take along enough epinephrine and keep it handy at all times, “just in case.”

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Books about FOOD ALLERGY

Buy a book to learn more, to give as a gift, or to donate to your school or public library.

Click here to purchase the book