Allergies caused by indoor allergens (commonly referred to as perennial allergies) can trigger symptoms including sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Avoiding allergens by using air filters and taking leukotriene inhibitors like montelukast (Singulair) can help control symptoms.
If medications aren’t helping, allergy specialists use skin tests to pinpoint the source of allergy. Avoidance is the preferred course of treatment; however, antihistamines may provide temporary relief.
Pet Allergies
Pet proteins found in their dander, saliva or urine can trigger allergic reactions in some people. When inhaled into the air and settle on surfaces such as carpets, furniture or house dust they become airborne and eventually end up on clothing, skin or being breathed into. When these allergens come in contact with airways they activate our allergies making our nose run, eyes water and throat itchy.
While some may eventually outgrow their pet allergy as they age, for many others it remains a lifelong struggle. Pet dander and allergens can be especially troublesome when indoor heating encourages indoor dust mites to spread around, or during spring or fall when pets bring pollen from outdoors on their fur.
Opting out is usually the best approach when it comes to pets being part of the household; however, for many that isn’t possible. An allergist can help by suggesting steps to decrease exposure as well as immunotherapy (allergy shots) for decreasing sensitization to allergens found in pet fur or feathers.
To test for pet allergies, your allergist will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam. He/she may also recommend conducting a skin test, in which small amounts of pet allergens will be pricked into your skin so they can detect an allergic response – something a skin test won’t do.
Mold Allergies
Mold allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to airborne mold spores in your environment. Mold spores are small, odorless spores found everywhere both indoors and outdoors; when breathed in they reach both nose and lungs and trigger symptoms similar to rhinitis or even asthma in people. Mild to severe reactions can affect all age groups.
Mold spores tend to flourish in warm, damp environments like basements, attics and bathrooms, although they can also grow on plant materials like leaves and tree clippings if they become wet. Mold is most prevalent during summer and fall seasons; however it could remain present year-round in warm, humid climates.
Doctors can diagnose mold allergies using skin prick testing or blood tests. With skin prick testing, drops of mold allergens are placed onto your skin and any bumps larger than a mosquito bite indicate an allergic response. Blood tests measure immunoglobulin E antibodies directed against specific allergens.
Limiting mold allergy symptoms is the ideal approach, however if this is impossible then taking medicine to alleviate them may help. Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids may provide temporary relief; prescription options, such as subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots), may offer long term solutions.
Dust Allergies
Dust allergies are among the most prevalent indoor allergies. They arise when your immune system reacts to tiny mites found living in house dust that feed on human skin cells and cause an allergic response that leads to runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes or worsening of asthma symptoms or skin rashes such as eczema or psoriasis symptoms. These allergens may trigger runny noses, sneezing, sneezing and watery eyes in addition to worsening asthma symptoms or irritating those suffering from these conditions.
Allergists can accurately diagnose dust allergies through conducting a skin test. First, they will clean an area of skin on your arm or upper back before using a lancet (small needle) to puncture it with allergen-specific spikes; within 20 minutes if your site becomes reactive to one, a red or swollen bump should form at that location.
People suffering from dust allergies typically exhibit nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and wheezing symptoms along with rash or hives on their skin. Dust mites thrive in warm humid areas such as carpeting, bedding, upholstery furniture or curtains and can often be found therein.
Those suffering from dust allergies may benefit from replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood or tile floors, using dehumidifiers and air conditioners in their homes to keep humidity down, washing their bedding regularly in hot water to eliminate dust mites from their living environments and eliminating their potential source of irritation.
Asthma
People living with allergic asthma may experience symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing) and chest tightening, often caused by breathing in allergens like grass pollen, tree pollen, ragweed pollen, mold spores, pet dander or pesticides such as cockroaches and mice. Allergies and asthma go hand-in-hand so it is wise to get tested for allergies in addition to taking allergy medication if you notice these symptoms.
Exercise-induced asthma refers to an attack that arises during physical activity such as running or playing sport; its symptoms typically manifest themselves within minutes after starting such physical activities and usually persist for 10-15 minutes after stopping them. This type of asthma flare-up often manifests itself during cold, dry air inhalation; fumes from chemicals; tobacco smoke inhalation or flu/cold viruses as triggers. People suffering from exercise-induced asthma usually notice their symptoms shortly after commencing physical exercise, lasting usually 10-15 minutes post exercise completion.
Doctors diagnose asthma by gathering information about both family medical history and symptoms from their patient. Lung function tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitrogen oxide are also performed for accurate diagnoses of this disorder, depending on its cause; depending on this, skin prick testing or blood work to detect antibodies against dust mites, molds or pet dander may be ordered as well as skin prick testing for specific triggers like dust mites. Once identified, symptoms can be managed through learning more about specific triggers; making changes in one’s environment to reduce exposure; for example encasing pillows and mattresses in allergen-proof covers while washing bedding weekly using hot water will help manage symptoms associated with asthma symptoms. Carpeted surfaces should also help control symptoms significantly
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