Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-12-24
pubmed:abstractText
Dust mites and molds are usually not found in arid environments and have a lower prevalence in desert areas. Evaporative (swamp) coolers increase indoor humidity significantly. The purpose of this study is to determine whether evaporative coolers affect the skin test rate to dust mites and molds in patients. Patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis who were undergoing skin testing for molds, indoor allergens, grasses, weeds, and trees were asked about presence of central, window, and evaporative cooler air conditioning in their home. All were tested using the prick technique with controls. One hundred ninety patients between 1 and 42 years (mean, 5.4 years) were evaluated. Fifty-nine (31%) had an evaporative cooler in their home. Twenty-five (42%) of those with evaporative coolers had a positive skin test to at least one mold compared with 26 (19%) without coolers (chi-square, 10.5; p = 0.001). Twenty (34%) of those with evaporative coolers had a positive skin test to dust mites compared with 23 (17.5%) without coolers (chi-square, 6.2; p = 0.013). Children < or = 6 years of age had the greatest skin test prevalence (chi-square, 4.3; p = 0.03). In the desert, children in homes using evaporative coolers are significantly more likely to have positive skin tests to molds or mites. This appears to be because of humidity caused by these devices. Patients with asthma in homes with evaporative coolers should be counseled about the risk for mold and dust-mite allergy. Humidity monitoring, cooler maintenance, and filter changes should be discussed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1539-6304
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
30
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
624-7
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Adolescent, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Age Factors, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Air Pollution, Indoor, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Antigens, Dermatophagoides, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Antigens, Fungal, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Child, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Child, Preschool, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Desert Climate, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Female, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Fungi, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Humidity, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Hypersensitivity, Immediate, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Infant, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Male, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Nebulizers and Vaporizers, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Nevada, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Pyroglyphidae, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Sensitivity and Specificity, pubmed-meshheading:20031008-Skin Tests
pubmed:articleTitle
Effect of evaporative coolers on skin test reactivity to dust mites and molds in a desert environment.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article