Pet dander, dust mites and mold allergies can make you sneeze, cough and have itchy eyes year round – often not subsiding when pollen counts drop.
Living with indoor allergies can be challenging and distressing, but you can reduce triggers by avoiding allergens like dust mites.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny eight-legged pests that feed off of dead skin cells from humans and pets alike, being found in bedding, blankets, mattresses and upholstered furniture as well as common allergens found in household dust. Their body parts and excrement are major allergens causing rhinitis (hay fever), asthma attacks or itchy eyes as well.
These microscopic arachnids can only be seen with the aid of a microscope, yet are one of the primary causes of indoor allergies. Their survival in warm, humid environments makes them especially common, such as homes containing plenty of upholstered furniture, carpeting and curtains; additionally, they may also hide among knickknacks, books, clothing etc.
Dust mite allergens do not travel through the air, but their proteins may irritate sensitive skin in ways both mild and severe, leading to symptoms like runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, sinus congestion, throat or mouth itching, or itchy skin.
Avoiding contact with dust mites can help alleviate symptoms. Bedding and pillowcases should be washed regularly in hot water to remove allergen-proof covers on pillows, mattresses and upholstered furniture, with fabric curtains replaced by bare windows and rugs and an air conditioner or dehumidifier used to maintain humidity below 50 percent. Replace traditional stuffed toys with washable synthetic ones while vacuuming frequently using either a double-layered microfilter bag or HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner to help limit how much dust and allergens come into your home from outside sources.
Pets
Allergies to cats and dogs can be caused by proteins found in their saliva, dander (dead skin flakes) and urine, which travel freely on their hair or fur, making them available to be carried home by you or your children. Cats in particular excel at spreading these allergens as they regularly lick themselves as well as rub their faces against surfaces to clean themselves of allergens.
Contrary to popular belief, there are no hypoallergenic breeds of dogs or cats; all canines and felines carry allergens in their fur, saliva, and dander which cause allergic reactions in people. Even previously thought-of hypoallergenic dogs such as poodles and wheaten terriers will trigger symptoms in people who suffer from allergies.
If you suffer from allergies to dogs and cats, try keeping the pet outdoors as much as possible or adopting an animal with no fur, such as rabbits or guinea pigs. Vacuum frequently to reduce pet dander in your home and designate rooms that don’t get frequent usage as pet-free zones; bathe your pets frequently to reduce how much dander they shed; avoid staying with friends or relatives who own pets; an antihistamine may provide temporary relief but if symptoms continue it’s best to seek medical advice – allergy shots can provide lasting solutions!
Mold
Mold spores can trigger allergies in many people, particularly those living with asthma. Mold can also act as an irritant, leading to watery eyes, itchy nose or throat or skin rashes. If your allergies are particularly strong towards certain kinds of molds, health care providers may conduct skin or blood tests in order to diagnose your allergy; otherwise some molds produce mycotoxins which could potentially harm the body when inhaled through skin or air passageways.
Molds are fungi that feed off dead plants and animals by breaking down organic matter to release their spores into the air, where they can trigger allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes or itchy skin. When mold spores come in contact with our immune systems they cause antibodies to be produced that result in typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes or itchy nose – leading to typical reactions such as sneezing.
Prevention is the best form of mold allergy treatment, so the key is keeping indoor humidity low, running fans while showering, fixing leaky plumbing issues, and using an air conditioner during humid seasons. You may also use over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants or intranasal corticosteroids to manage symptoms; if these fail, consult with a physician or allergist for other solutions.
Asthma
Allergies occur when an immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances in its environment known as allergens, known as allergens. When exposed to allergens, our bodies produce antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE then travels through cells in our bodies releasing histamine or other chemical messengers which cause allergic symptoms in various places – nose, sinuses, throat, eyes or lungs being common targets. Allergies may occur seasonally or year-round with symptoms including nasal congestion, sneezing runny nose or itchy eyes being common symptoms among chronic cases. Allergy sufferers often report experiencing nasal congestion when out-of-towners travel.
When allergies are caused by specific allergens, the best way to treat them is usually avoiding those allergens as much as possible; if this isn’t feasible then medication can help relieve symptoms and help manage allergies more effectively.
Keep a diary of when and where your symptoms occur to help your physician pinpoint their source. Logging when away from home will allow your physician to observe changes to symptoms as you travel. If your asthma is poorly controlled, scheduling an appointment with an allergist might be worthwhile as they can recommend allergy testing or treatments tailored specifically to you. As research into indoor allergens advances, our ability to detect and treat them improves rapidly – UPMC Allergy specialists specialize in helping their patients learn how to best manage and prevent flare ups while managing allergies can improve by providing insights into ways they can manage them and prevent flare ups occurring by providing advice and assistance tailored specifically tailored specifically tailored towards managing and preventing future flare ups occurring by helping patients understand how best manage and treat them for best results.
Comments are closed