Mold spores, dust mites, pet dander and other allergens may trigger allergy-like symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose or nasal congestion, which can be managed through allergy medication and changes to cleaning routines.
Indoor allergens may trigger year-round symptoms of allergy symptoms, unlike seasonal outdoor allergies. Your physician can help identify allergy triggers and provide effective solutions.
Pet Allergies
Pet allergens include saliva, skin gland secretions and dead skin cells clinging to an animal’s fur or dander that clings to walls, carpets and clothing, then causes symptoms like runny nose and itching in humans exposed to them. If these symptoms continue for more than two weeks or are severe enough, they could indicate an allergy and should be addressed by consulting a physician immediately.
Pet allergies may be most commonly caused by dog and cat dander, but other animals may also trigger reactions in people. Small rodent dander such as that found on hamsters and mice as well as urine from rabbits can all make people sneeze or experience itchy eyes.
Allergy testing can help identify which allergens are triggering an allergic response in your body, while antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants may help alleviate allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy shots (allergy shots) may also help build tolerance to animal dander while decreasing histamine levels in your blood.
Mold Allergies
Mold allergies are a type of respiratory allergy triggered by an immune response to certain types of fungi in the air, often manifested as floating spores that linger and, when inhaled, can trigger typical allergic symptoms like sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes, rashes or itching of the skin – for people suffering from asthma these spores can also trigger attacks.
If you believe you may have mold allergies, keep track of when and why your symptoms arise and what seems to make them worse. For instance, if they worsen after spending time indoors where there’s lots of mold growth, this may indicate a mold allergy.
Not only can you keep a log, but medical tests can be conducted to help identify which allergies you have. Skin tests with allergen-containing needles can show whether you’re sensitive to specific fungi (Alternaria, Aspergillus and Cladosporium). Blood testing which measures levels of antibodies against specific allergens may also be useful.
Dust Allergies
Dust mite allergens cause allergic reactions when inhaled or come into contact with skin; when these dust mite droppings come into contact with itchy eyes or nose, sneezing, rashes or asthma flare-ups (they could even trigger asthma flare-ups!), they may lead to itchy rashes on both of these. If symptoms become severe enough they could even result in asthma flare ups or eczema outbreaks.
Allergies from dust mites can occur year round, though symptoms often worsen in winter as mite populations decrease yet their waste and dead mites remain in your home due to forced-air heating systems.
Your doctor will conduct an allergy skin test to identify dust as the source of your allergy symptoms. He or she will prick your skin with a tiny needle containing allergen extract and look out for red, itchy bumps to form on it. An allergist may also take an extensive medical history and ask pertinent questions about work and home environments to narrow down which allergen is making you ill.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in mattresses, pillows and carpets. They thrive in warm, humid environments where their presence increases humidity levels; although they don’t bite directly, their waste products and decayed bodies may trigger allergic reactions in some people.
People suffering from dust mite allergies may experience runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing symptoms. In severe cases, dust mite allergies can also trigger wheezing coughs and breathing difficulties – potentially even an asthma attack!
Allergy testing can help confirm a diagnosis of dust mite allergy. To conduct such testing, a dermatologist or allergist will prick your skin with extracts from various allergens to see how your body responds.
Antihistamines can provide temporary relief from allergy-related itching and sneezing caused by dust mites. Common over-the-counter antihistamine tablets include fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Alavert, Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Nasal corticosteroids reduce swelling in your nose and throat to make breathing easier, and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. For longer-term relief of allergy relief immunotherapy may offer relief; weekly injections with gradually increasing doses of allergen over time help your immune system adjust and retrain itself not overreact.
Airborne Allergies
Airborne allergens such as pollen, spores and pet dander can trigger allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. Any allergies affecting the skin could also manifest themselves through itchy rashes such as hives or itchy, red patches (allergic dermatitis).
People suffering from hay fever and/or asthma typically exhibit airborne allergies to dust mites, animal fur or mould spores. Furthermore, these allergies may extend to foods such as shellfish, peanuts or tree nuts as well as certain medicines like penicillin.
An allergen may trigger anaphylaxis – a life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by difficulty breathing, throat swelling and sudden drops in blood pressure. Therefore it is imperative that one has access to an autoinjector such as EpiPen in case they need medical assistance quickly.
Airborne allergies vary in terms of symptoms depending on both individual and seasonal factors, with optimal treatment being avoiding exposure to known allergens as much as possible – this can be achieved through installing wood flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting, using a HEPA air cleaner in the home and washing bedding at least twice weekly in hot water in order to kill off allergens.
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