Spring Allergies in WA: Managing Seasonal Allergies with CPAP
Spring in WA brings a few certainties:
- The easterly winds in the morning
- 29 degrees one day and rain the next
- Pollen everywhere!
For many, allergy symptoms persist year-round due to dust, smoke, mould, mildew, or pet dander. However, seasonal allergies can spike as pollen counts soar. Carried in by the easterly winds from late October to April, WA's pollen count skyrockets with hay cutting, crop harvesting, and wattle in full bloom—an assault on the senses.
Common Allergy Symptoms
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Mild skin rashes
- Sore throat
- Post-nasal drip
At night, lying down can worsen sinus congestion as mucus builds up in your throat. This natural drainage, which is meant to remove allergens, can obstruct your airway further, making many CPAP users feel like abandoning their therapy until their allergies subside. However, stopping CPAP can actually make things worse.
When nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing, you're bypassing your body’s natural humidification process, drying out your airways and increasing the likelihood of an even more severe allergic reaction.
POD’s Top Tips for Managing Allergies with CPAP
1. Use Humidification
Humidifying your CPAP air keeps your airways moist, catching pollen before it reaches your nose. Dry airways can aggravate allergies and worsen symptoms. Your nose has two important jobs:
- Warming incoming air to body temperature
- Secreting fluid to clear out allergens
Without proper humidification, your nose works ovetime to warm and humidify the CPAP air, often producing excess fluid even hours after the allergens are gone (a condition known as nasal reactive syndrome). Using CPAP humidification helps ease the burden on your nose, reducing congestion and inflammation.
2. Shower Before Bed
Pollen and dust cling to your skin and clothes. Showering before bed prevents these allergens from transferring to your bed sheets and pajamas.
3. Rinse Your Sinuses
Using a saline rinse, like FLO Sinus Care, a Netti Pot, or NeilMed Sinus Rinse, can help flush out allergens trapped in your nasal passages. A rinse in the morning and again before bed can significantly reduce congestion and irritation.
4. Clean Your CPAP Regularly
Dust and pollen can accumulate in your CPAP device, so regular cleaning is essential. Wash the humidifier chamber, tubing, and mask at least once a week using hot water and mild dishwashing liquid. Avoid the dishwasher, as it can warp CPAP components. Using a CPAP-specific cleaning pack, such as POD’s cleaning kit, can make the process easier. Remember to clean the inside of your tubing to prevent dust, mould and pollen build up. Using a tube cleaning brush will help you reach the full length of your CPAP tubing, ensuring a complete clean. Stay away from promoted cleaning device like ozone cleaners. They may damage you CPAP device over time and void your manufacture warranty.
5. Upgrade to Hypoallergenic Filters
If airborne allergens are a problem, consider upgrading to hypoallergenic CPAP filters. These filters capture finer particles, keeping your device clean and reducing allergy symptoms. Replace your filters monthly for optimal performance.
Most devices offer a hypoallergenic option.
6. Use Antihistamines
Speak to your pharmacist about allergy relief options. Antihistamines, such as Zyrtec, paired with nasal sprays like Dymista or Azep, can offer a multi-pronged approach to managing allergies.
7. Consider a Full-Face Mask
If nasal congestion makes it difficult to use your nasal mask, try switching to a full-face mask. POD offers a Mask Trial program, so you can test it for 1-2 weeks before committing.
8. Try Nasal Strips or Dilators
Nasal strips like Breathe Rite or dilators like MUTE can help widen nasal passages, allowing for easier breathing, especially in conjunction with CPAP therapy.
9. Elevate Your Head
Using a wedge or boomerang-style pillow to elevate your head can support sinus drainage and reduce night time congestion.
10. Clean Your Bedroom
Keep your sleeping space dust-free. Regularly vacuum, dust, and wipe down surfaces, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture allergens. Consider investing in a HEPA air purifier, such as the Ionmax ION 420 Breeze Air Purifier, which traps 99.97% of allergens down to 0.3 microns.
Remember, You Have Options
Allergy season doesn’t have to disrupt your CPAP therapy or your quality of sleep. By working with your POD team, you can develop a personalized strategy to manage your allergies and continue breathing easy.
Call to arrange an appointment on (08) 6168 1450
