Allergies can cause itching, sneezing, wheezing and nasal congestion – symptoms which medications can relieve.
Indoor allergens include animal dander, dust mite droppings and cockroaches; outdoor allergies are typically caused by grass, weed and tree pollens and mold spores – and allergies may manifest year round.
Frequent vacuuming of carpets and furniture, washing bedding in hot water weekly and using certified asthma & allergy friendly air filters are effective measures to help reduce allergens in the environment. Antihistamines may also provide some relief for allergy or hay fever symptoms.
Pollen
Pollen is a yellow powdery substance found floating through the air that can enter our bodies through our noses, eyes, or mouths and cause stuffiness and itchy eyes – commonly referred to as seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis1.1 For many individuals this causes seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis1.
Seasonal allergies, commonly known as hay fever, arise from an exaggerated immune response to outdoor allergens like mold spores and pollen (from trees, grasses or ragweed) released at certain times each year into the air.2
Your symptoms of allergies can be reduced by avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollen times, taking medication before venturing outdoors, and washing both hair and clothing after being outdoors. Wearing a mask when doing yard work or mowing the lawn may also help.
Take steps to minimize indoor allergens by closing windows and doors during pollen season or when conditions are particularly warm, dry and windy. Also use central air conditioning or an air cleaner with Certified Allergy & Asthma Friendly(r) filters, dehumidifiers with frequently replaced filters for moisture removal as well as antihistamines such as ZYRTEC(r) Allergy + Congestion Relief Medicine Tablets from ZYRTEC to control allergy symptoms by blocking histamine released during an allergic response3.3
Mold
Molds are tiny fungi that thrive in damp environments both indoors and out, creating allergenic spores when they grow that can trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive people, similar to pollen or animal dander. Mold spores can trigger sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy skin rashes or breathing difficulties for those affected by them; allergic reactions usually involve the nose and throat but lungs may react as well; symptoms tend to be mild-moderate in most situations but may worsen depending on circumstances.
Mold allergies can occur year-round, though reactions to mold spores tend to peak between July and late summer. Certain people are more prone to mold allergies than others, including those who have a family history of allergic conditions or asthma, those working in occupations that expose them to high humidity levels, like farmers, dairy workers, loggers, bakers or greenhouse workers; or those exposed to high levels of humidity or mold (like farmers, dairy workers, loggers bakers or greenhouse workers).
Avoiding mold allergy symptoms is best achieved through avoidance. This means staying indoors when temperatures are warm and dry, and limiting outdoor activity on days when air spore counts are highest. If that’s not an option, allergy medications like BENADRYL(r) oral medicines can provide effective relief, or other allergy treatments including prescription medicines and immunotherapy may also help.
Dust Mites
Dust mites, tiny relatives of ticks and spiders, live in mattresses, pillows, carpeting, upholstered furniture and house dust. When inhaled, proteins found in dust mite droppings and carcasses can irritate nasal passages and eyes causing runny noses, watery eyes, itching and sneezing as well as wheezing and difficulty breathing in sensitive individuals. In severe cases they can even cause wheezing and difficulty breathing!
Dust mite allergy sufferers typically have year-round allergies, while pollen allergies tend to flare up at certain times of year. Common symptoms for both include nasal congestion, postnasal drip, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
To reduce exposure, all bedding (sheets, blankets and pillowcases) should be washed weekly in hot water at least 130 F, in order to kill dust mites and remove allergens from them. Nonwashable items like stuffed animals, books or fabrics should be frozen overnight to do the same job. Maintain a dust-free bedroom environment by employing a HEPA filter with mask for weekly vacuuming of bedroom floors and furniture, replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with bare floors wherever possible, dehumidifier, air conditioner and/or hygrometer (which can be found at hardware stores) are used to regulate humidity below 50% levels in your environment. Purchase special zippered allergy covers for mattresses, box springs and pillows. Switch out traditional feather-stuffed or padded upholstery pieces for synthetic pieces instead. Finally, replace stuffed animals or pillow pets in the bedroom with washable fabrics such as cotton or polyester to reduce allergen exposure.
Animals
Animal allergens produced by cats, dogs, rodents and cattle are a leading cause of indoor allergies. Mammal allergens can easily become airborne and adhere to clothing or hair before spreading between environments – this phenomenon has been observed both within homes with pets as well as non-pet environments such as schools and public buildings without pets through passive transfer through human contact (74).
Animal allergen levels vary significantly across environments and depend on various factors. One study conducted on house dust samples collected from various locations revealed that households with pets had higher concentrations of cat and dog allergens in the TV/living room area when compared to houses without pets (60).
Size of dwelling also plays a part in animal allergen levels; larger dwellings tend to contain higher pet allergen concentrations due to more people living together and coming into closer contact with one another and their pets (61), which increases pet allergen concentrations further (61).
As such, anyone experiencing animal allergy symptoms must consult with a healthcare provider immediately. The best course of action would be minimizing exposure, while allergy medication may also help. In certain instances, immunotherapy has proven highly successful at decreasing allergic symptoms in both children and adults (75). Other strategies to lessen exposure include keeping animals outdoors more often, replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with bare floors where possible, keeping pets out of bedrooms altogether, washing clothing often and cleaning frequently as all potential ways of decreasing exposure to animal allergens.
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