Allergic reactions caused by pet dander, mold spores, dust mites and cockroaches can be common indoors. To effectively manage allergy symptoms and minimise discomfort it’s essential that all indoor allergens be eliminated from the environment.
Maintaining a clean home, using HEPA air filters and washing blankets, pillows and stuffed animals in hot water are all ways that can assist. Consult an allergist for further advice.
Pet Allergies
Allergies to cats and dogs are common, though any animal with hair or feathers could potentially set off an allergic response. Proteins found in saliva, urine and dander (dead skin cells) from pets set off the immune system by producing antibodies against them, leading to symptoms like sneezing and itching as well as possibly leading to serious conditions like angioedema causing swelling in your face or throat.
Symptoms can include itchy skin, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and wheezing; abdominal aches, diarrhea and vomiting may also result. Your symptoms could become worsened if exposed to pollen or mold simultaneously.
Physicians can diagnose pet allergies by reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical exam, then suggesting tests such as skin or blood allergy testing; in these tests a small portion of skin is pricked with pet allergen samples that will then be observed for any reactions or allergic responses.
Your doctor can recommend ways to reduce pet dander in your home, such as installing a HEPA air cleaner and limiting fabric furniture in bedrooms. Washing bedding and pillows regularly will also be effective. Ask friends and family members not to bring pets when visiting.
Mold Allergies
Mold spores can be a reliable trigger of allergy symptoms during spring and summer seasons, but can also occur if your environment contains lots of humidity and moisture. Mold can make you sneeze, runny nose, itchy eyes or wheeze; in people who already suffer from mold allergies they can aggravate asthma symptoms further. Your physician can prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids to relieve allergy symptoms as well as immunotherapy injections designed to build your natural defenses against allergens that cause your symptoms – providing natural defense mechanisms against allergens that trigger them!
Mold allergies occur when your immune system recognizes mold fungus as a potential invader and responds with inflammation that causes allergy-like symptoms in your nose, throat, sinuses, eyes, ears, lungs and skin. Some types of mold produce mycotoxins which are known to adversely impact liver and nervous system health in some individuals.
To diagnose a mold allergy, your physician will conduct a comprehensive medical history and physical exam, and order a skin test with mold spore extract diluted to detect an allergic response – usually by pricking the skin with allergens (in this instance mold spore extract) which causes red bumps to appear if an allergy exists.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains. They feed on dead skin flakes and dander produced by humans – further aggravating allergies and asthma, while often leading to itchy red skin conditions.
If you suspect that you have a dust mite allergy, your physician will conduct a physical exam and ask questions about symptoms and your home environment. They may also order a blood test which measures levels of IgE antibodies to dust mite proteins; any positive result would indicate you are allergic.
Treatment of dust mite allergies involves minimizing exposure to dust mites and other allergens. Air conditioning can help lower indoor humidity levels, dissuading dust mites from breeding. Vacuuming regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner may also help decrease allergen counts in your home. Clearing clutter out of bedrooms as well as regularly washing stuffed toys may also help limit dust mite exposure.
If these measures fail to offer relief, your doctor may suggest medication to ease your symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants may reduce runny nose, sneezing, itching and nasal corticosteroid sprays may reduce swelling while allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) can help develop tolerance to dust mite allergens over time; initially these should be given weekly in a doctor’s office but once your response to allergens has subsided they can be given on a monthly basis at home.
Asthma
Allergies can lead to asthma, a chronic illness in which the airways of the lungs narrow and become inflamed, making breathing difficult. Affecting over 50 million Americans, symptoms include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Allergic triggers include pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, trees pollen and grass pollen as well as cockroaches; food allergies have also been known to bring on asthma attacks in some people.
Inhaled allergens can aggravate or worsen symptoms for both allergic and nonallergic asthmatics. Other substances, including air pollution, smoke from tobacco or wood fires, exercise, cold air and viral infections may also irritate or increase symptoms in an asthma attack – either immediately upon exposure, or hours or days later.
Medication can help alleviate both allergy and asthma symptoms and attacks, including leukotriene modifiers like Montelukast (Singulair) that help prevent inflammatory responses as well as medications targeting specific allergens causing your asthma attacks. You can reduce asthma episodes by becoming aware of what triggers them and avoiding those items or situations; using an HEPA filter in your home will also reduce allergen levels while taking a spirometry test can provide insight into how well your lungs are working.
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