Allergies caused by dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and cockroaches often manifest as symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, itching and runny nose. While these allergies occur throughout the year, winter temperatures often worsen them further when doors and windows remain shut tight.
Keep a diary of when and what triggered your symptoms to help your allergist pinpoint their source.
Medications
Allergies are an immune system malfunction in which your defenses mistakenly attack a normally harmless substance called an allergen, setting off a chain reaction of itching, runny nose/eyes/congestion/sneezing and other reactions that lead to itchy skin and eye symptoms or congestion/sneezing or congestion and sneezing symptoms in response. Over time allergic reactions may develop into more serious health conditions like asthma.
Antihistamines such as Claritin or Benadryl can provide immediate relief of allergy symptoms by blocking histamine production during an allergic response. Antihistamines such as Claritin or Benadryl can be purchased over-the-counter as well as with valid valid prescriptions; decongestants like pseudoephedrine, phenylethyl methyl benzamide (Xylilne), or Singulair may also provide assistance; anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers like montelukast or even inhaled nasal steroids can all aid with relief.
Immunotherapy or allergy shots may also be effective at relieving allergies caused by indoor contaminants like fungi, molds, pet dander and dust mites. Immunotherapy involves repeatedly exposing small doses of an allergenic substance over an extended period to help desensitize your immune system to it and thus avoid an allergic response in your body.
Consider that when selecting an allergy treatment plan, the most effective method may be limiting exposure to indoor allergens as much as possible and recording allergy symptoms and when they appear so you can determine their source.
Allergy shots
Allergy shots (immunotherapy) provide long-term solutions for allergies that involve injecting allergens directly into the body to create immunity against them. Immunotherapy works best for people allergic to dust mites, molds, stinging insects, animal dander and pollen from grasses trees and weeds; it may even help prevent asthma attacks! In addition, antihistamine tablets saline nasal sprays or simply avoiding allergens may provide effective alternatives.
These shots contain tiny amounts of allergens injected under the skin in order to build immunity over time. Shots should typically be administered once or twice each week for six months with dose gradually increasing as your body adjusts. When your immune system has established resistance, shots will then continue monthly for three to five years.
At first, most reactions from allergy shots may only be local, such as redness, swelling or itching at the injection site. But more serious and life-threatening reactions such as wheezing and low blood pressure could occur; for this reason, shots should only be administered by an allergist equipped with EpiPen(r).
Your doctor may use skin prick testing to diagnose your allergies before beginning immunotherapy, and will monitor both symptoms and responses to shots during follow-up appointments over several years. After this timeframe has passed, many patients can discontinue immunotherapy because their symptoms have subsided or can be managed with mild medications alone.
Allergy skin tests
Skin tests help your doctor pinpoint which substances may be triggering your allergy symptoms, such as foods, medications, insect venom or airborne allergens such as pollen or pet dander.
Skin testing requires your physician using a plastic device dipped in different allergens to mark the skin on either your arm or back, then scratch or pricking gently to introduce allergens under your skin and cause reactions similar to mosquito bites if applicable. As skin tests can be uncomfortable for children, you may wish to consider using a numbing cream beforehand for added comfort.
Your provider will monitor the test area for any reactions, which typically take 15 minutes to appear. If a red, raised bump (known as a wheal ) forms and it is large and central in location, this indicates an allergy.
Rarely, skin tests can produce severe allergic reactions that require emergency injection of epinephrine, so it’s wise to perform them at a medical office equipped with emergency medicines (like an auto-injector). You may also be asked not to take medicines that affect allergies for some time prior to performing the test.
Talk to your doctor
Indoor allergies can be treated using medication. Antihistamines can ease symptoms by decreasing histamine production in your body that causes allergic reactions. They come in pill, liquid and nasal spray forms; corticosteroids may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation of nose and sinuses; while leukotriene inhibitors such as montelukast (Singulair) prevent your immune system from responding to allergens that trigger hay fever or asthma attacks.
Allergies caused by pet dander, dust mites and mold spores are an increasingly prevalent health concern that affect people of all ages. While these allergens can be found year-round indoors, they tend to worsen during the winter when people spend more time indoors. Other indoor allergies include those caused by chemicals, tobacco smoke and cleaning products as well as candles or cockroaches – among others.
It is essential to identify and then remove the allergen causing your symptoms from your home or office environment, whether this means regular housecleaning, using air filters and running dehumidifiers in damp areas, using HEPA vacuum cleaners or HEPA filters in humid rooms; alternatively using dust mite control products could also help. If symptoms continue, consult with a physician regarding prescription medicines as well as allergy skin testing or immunotherapy treatments.
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