Down Allergy?
10 July 2008Has anyone with a known down allergy had a reaction to contact with lake water? We have a large goose population this year. In previous years I have observed what appears to be a dusting of down on the surface of the lake on calm days.
07.10.08 by Chuck Henage @ 10:36 am
Filed under: Website| Water Quality| Wildlife Mgmt Comments:
“Down allergy” typically represents an allergy to the dust mites that
thrive in down pillows/comforters and not so much a reaction to the
feathers themselves. Hence, I would think it unlikely that someone
would react to the goose feathers in the lake.
If you have any
concerns about allergies, keep in mind that UNC has an
Allergy/Immunology Clinic which offers comprehensive evaluation of
environmental and food allergies (as well as asthma, urticaria,
stinging insect allergy and immune system dysfunction).
Thanks,
Maya Jerath, MD
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology
UNC