Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and cockroaches can trigger year-round symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose; they may even progress to asthma attacks.
Avoidance of allergens can be extremely effective at alleviating allergy symptoms. Antihistamine medications may also prove useful.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny insect-like creatures that live in bedding, mattresses and furniture and feed off dead skin cells shed by humans every day. These tiny organisms thrive in warm, humid environments and are one of the leading causes of indoor allergies, triggering mild to severe symptoms including itchy eyes, nose or throat itchiness; sneezing; runny nose as well as flare ups for those suffering with asthma. They may even trigger flare ups of their condition.
Allergens from insects and animals such as pet dander, cockroach droppings and molds may also trigger allergy symptoms in some individuals. Your immune system responds by producing immunoglobulin E antibodies – these travel to cells in your body which release chemicals to trigger an allergic response in you.
Your allergist/immunologist can conduct a skin test to identify which allergens trigger your symptoms. This involves pricking your skin with extracts of common allergens and looking for any reactions; when one appears, such as wheals or flare-ups on its surface indicate your level of sensitivity to that allergen.
To avoid allergic reactions to allergens, regularly vacuum and sweep your floors. Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with hard surfaces; install dehumidifiers in damp basements; clean fabric items regularly and make sure bedding, pillows and toys are washed in hot water before placing in the dryer – these steps may all help.
Pets
Animal allergies are caused by proteins found in an animal’s saliva, urine or dander (particles of dead skin). Although pets are the most popular cause, people can also be allergic to any fur-bearing pet such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or ferrets; feathers from parrots and cockatiels can also produce symptoms.
These allergens tend to stick tightly to animal fur or feathers before collecting on walls, carpets, furniture, clothing or the skin of humans who come in contact with these allergens – leading them to respond by running nose, itching and sneezing when exposed.
Many individuals can reduce their allergy symptoms by creating a pet-free zone within their bedroom and using high-efficiency HEPA air cleaners to remove pet dander from the air. They should also bathe their pet regularly and apply flea and tick preventatives as part of a regimen to further decrease allergy symptoms.
If avoidance is not an option, medications can help manage allergy symptoms. Antihistamines reduce production of an antibody responsible for an allergic response and relieve itching and sneezing; decongestants clear nasal passages while steroids reduce inflammation. If allergy symptoms become severe enough, immunotherapy may provide the solution – gradually desensitizing your body to animal allergens through gradual desensitization techniques over time – your allergist will recommend a personalized plan tailored specifically to you based on history, medical records, symptoms and testing results.
Mold
Mold allergies result from an overly sensitive immune system reacting to airborne mold spores. Exposure can trigger allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and scratchy throat. While mold spores are quite prevalent throughout indoor and outdoor spaces alike, damp environments like basements or bathrooms with leaks tend to harbor these spores better and could potentially produce mycotoxins which are toxic to human health and may lead to lung infections or even lead to death in extreme cases.
Mold allergies can often look similar to other allergies, so if you suspect you might have one it’s essential that you consult with a physician immediately. Recording where, when, what and for how long your symptoms occurred is also helpful in pinpointing the allergen responsible.
Your doctor can prescribe over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines and decongestants to ease symptoms like sneezing, itching and watery eyes. He or she may also recommend other treatments like nasal corticosteroids or quick relief albuterol inhalers for asthmatics. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may reduce sensitivity to mold spores that trigger your symptoms for longer term relief; there are no home remedies that can fully eliminate mold allergies – however staying away from places with high mold counts as well as cleaning regularly and clearing away piles of leaves or tree clippings can all help.
Asthma
At times, allergies to pet dander, mold spores, dust mites and cockroaches can trigger asthma in sensitive individuals. If your symptoms don’t respond to over-the-counter medicines or indoor air quality specialists’ suggestions for managing them effectively, consulting an allergist or professional home inspector and indoor air specialist might help identify sources of allergy triggers and suggest methods of decreasing them.
Asthma can cause acute symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath that are potentially life-threatening. Asthma is a complex disease caused by multiple factors including genetic predispositions, environmental exposures and infections; stress management programs or taking certain medications could also trigger it. If these signs arise in you it’s essential that you contact a healthcare provider immediately as they could prove fatal.
If you find yourself constantly sneezing, rubbing your nose and itching all year-round, nonseasonal hay fever (also called perennial allergic rhinitis) might be to blame. This condition is triggered by allergens found indoors such as pet dander, mold spores, insect parts, dust mites, cockroaches or rodent droppings.
Allergic symptoms can be managed by decreasing exposure to indoor allergens by cleaning, lowering humidity and covering pillows and mattresses with allergy-blocking covers. An allergist can prescribe decongestants, antihistamines and corticosteroid sprays as necessary to reduce inflammation and alleviate itchy, runny noses or eyes; for severe allergies immunotherapy shots gradually increasing your tolerance may be recommended as an option.
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