Allergies occur when our immune systems overreact to otherwise harmless substances known as allergens, often seasonal like hay fever but also found throughout the year such as animal dander, mold spores or droppings from cockroaches and dust mites.
Indoor allergies often have symptoms that persist for longer, such as animal dander, cockroaches, mold and dust mites triggering them. An immunologist can conduct skin prick testing to identify allergy triggers.
Pet Allergies
Pollen, dust mites and mold allergies can be just as troublesome for allergy sufferers; pet allergies can trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and sinus congestion as well as wheezing and difficulty breathing – symptoms which may appear whether pets or farm animals are in your own home or visiting friends/family with these animals, as well as when attending schools that allow pets.
Dogs and cats produce allergy-triggering proteins in their saliva, sweat and urine that become adhered to their fur and dander; this allergen then sticks to furniture and walls where it causes allergy symptoms in people. Small rodents such as hamsters and gerbils also contain similar allergens which may trigger similar responses in humans.
Your allergy doctor may conduct a skin test to identify whether or not you’re sensitive to certain pet dander. They’ll clean a small patch of skin on either the forearm or upper back before placing a droplet of potential allergens there and lightly scratching with a small needle (lancet), inducing histamine release through scratching; if a red bump develops that’s an indicator that an allergen has caused its production – an ideal indicator that you are indeed allergic.
Pet owners understandably don’t want to part with their beloved animals due to allergy symptoms, but consulting an allergist / immunologist about your symptoms could provide an effective solution while still living with your pets and managing allergy symptoms.
Mold Allergies
Mold is a widespread allergen that can be found indoors and outdoors all year. Mold produces tiny spores that spread through the air when conditions become damp, which then become inhaled into respiratory system, where they trigger allergic reaction symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and an itchy nose – sometimes accompanied by difficulty sleeping due to nasal and sinus congestion. Furthermore, mold allergy may aggravate asthma symptoms further while some types of mold produce mycotoxins which can enter body via skin absorption or respiratory tract.
Allergy testing can help determine whether you have a mold allergy. A skin prick test, where small amounts of different allergens are placed onto your skin and any areas that sting or itch indicate you may be sensitive. Blood tests may also be conducted to measure immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against specific allergens circulating in your bloodstream.
Avoiding mold exposure is the ideal solution to combating allergy symptoms; however, this is often difficult due to mold’s widespread presence in environments. Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids may help relieve symptoms; immunotherapy involving repeated injections of allergens into small doses may reduce allergy severity while building tolerance over time.
Dust Allergies
Dust mites are one of the primary triggers for asthma and allergy attacks. These tiny insects live in mattresses, pillows and box springs and can trigger mild to severe allergic symptoms in people living near them, such as itchy, watery eyes; runny nose or congestion; sneezing; skin rash or even breathing difficulty in highly susceptible individuals. People highly allergic may even experience facial swelling as well as hives (red raised bumps on skin).
Like pollen, dust mites can trigger symptoms year round; however, their frequency usually increases where allergens are concentrated – such as your home.
Dust allergies differ from pollen allergies in that dust consists of various substances from fabrics to dead skin cells from pets and humans alike, bacteria, mold spores, insect parts, food particles, etc. Dust allergies tend to arise when exposed to different combinations of particles that come together. Dust contains bits of fabric, hair and dead skin cells from both humans and pets as well as mite waste, bacteria, mold spores, insect parts, food particles and debris all living things exhale into the atmosphere, including bits from microscopic mite waste mite waste bacteria mold spores insects food particles debris from animals alike – all kinds of sources! Dust allergies often stem from an accumulation of particles found on surfaces of dust-laden airborne particles mixed together.
Dust mites, like other allergy triggers, thrive in humid and warm temperatures. To limit dust levels in your home, tight woven allergy-proof bedding covers are key, along with washing sheets and pillowcases regularly in hot water – make sure that pets do not sleep on your bed – use an air cleaner that has been certified asthma and allergy friendly as these devices help lower humidity levels while simultaneously inhibiting allergen growth as well as dust mite development.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites are tiny insects that thrive in warm and humid environments. They are one of the main contributors to indoor allergens that contribute to allergies and asthma attacks; feeding on skin flakes shed by both people and their animals alike.
Dander can cause an immune response that produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against its proteins. When inhaled, this results in IgE being released into the air where they irritate lungs and nasal passages causing symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes; runny nose; post-nasal drip; and wheezing.
Average Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors3, and many experience various air irritants – such as dust mites – that can exacerbate asthma symptoms even in those who display only minor symptoms4. Dust mites, for instance, have been linked with allergic reactions and worsened asthma symptoms by as much as 50%4.
Although dust mites can exist almost anywhere, bedrooms provide ideal breeding grounds. Their warm and dry environments allow these little bugs to flourish, attaching themselves to bedding, mattresses, carpeting and upholstery furniture where they contribute substantially to indoor allergens.
Your doctor may conduct a skin test to identify a dust mite allergy. This process involves applying small amounts of common allergens such as pollen to your skin and monitoring any raised, itchy spots called wheals that arise as part of this examination process. Your doctor may order a blood test to check for specific IgE antibodies to identify potential dust mite allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants may provide temporary relief of symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes. Corticosteroid nasal sprays may provide short-term relief by decreasing congestion and shrinking inflamed tissues to make breathing easier, while for long-term solutions your physician may suggest allergen immunotherapy – where an allergist administers weekly shots with gradually increasing doses of dust mite allergen, encouraging your immune system to build immunity against it.
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