Allergens such as dust mites, mould and pet dander can lead to symptoms of indoor allergies in homes of all sizes – even those that appear sterile. All homes can harbour allergens which linger even with regular cleaning practices in place.
Indoor allergy symptoms often persist throughout the year and can affect your nose, eyes and throat. Medication can provide temporary relief of your symptoms.
Medications
Indoor allergies can be caused by various substances like animal dander, mold spores, dust mites and cockroach droppings that remain present year round, unlike outdoor pollen which peaks at certain times of the year. Indoor allergies typically manifest themselves with symptoms including watery eyes, sneezing and congestion which may be managed using medication and altering cleaning routines.
Mild indoor allergies may be treated using over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines or decongestants, however if symptoms remain uncontrolled a physician should be consulted in order to provide alternative solutions. An allergist will identify specific triggers through testing and devise an individualised treatment plan to meet those needs.
Allergy medications can help relieve allergic reactions to indoor allergens by blocking histamine release during an allergic response. Antihistamine pills, eye drops and nasal sprays that provide 24-hour allergy relief may include antihistamine pills; there are also combinations like ZYRTEC-D that provide additional sneezing relief as well as sinus pressure and congestion relief.
Allergen immunotherapy (often referred to as allergy shots) is another approach for indoor allergies. Immunotherapy involves gradually exposing yourself to small doses of allergens over a longer period in order to desensitize your immune system; however, immunotherapy requires doctor supervision due to its more lengthy nature than taking allergy medication alone.
Allergy shots
Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, may help those suffering from severe indoor allergies to reduce symptoms. This therapy involves injecting gradually increasing doses of allergens that make you sensitive; typically this phase takes 3 to 6 months with shots administered 1 or 2 times weekly during this timeframe before shifting into maintenance phase which typically lasts 3-5 years or beyond; sublingual immunotherapy drops may also be an option in certain instances.
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances it misperceives as harmful, leading to sneezing, nasal congestion and release of chemicals like histamine which cause itching and swelling. Allergy shots may help alter how your immune system reacts to an allergen by altering how it perceives it – thus decreasing symptoms while helping prevent future attacks.
At the outset of receiving allergy shots, determining the source of your allergies must come first. Next, an allergist will administer an injection of suspected allergen into your arm for injection and observe for signs of swelling or changes to skin color over 15 minutes.
An allergist will then initiate the buildup phase of allergy shots. For some patients, this may involve weekly injections over four to six months while other patients may require shorter sessions, reaching their maintenance dose faster. Your doctor will advise you on which approach would best meet your needs; local reactions like itching, redness or swelling near injection sites are common but typically don’t last too long while more severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, occur rarely but can include throat tightness or difficulty breathing.
Allergy testing
There are various allergy tests available, which your physician will choose depending on your symptoms and medical history.
Skin tests are the primary means of testing for allergies. These typically take place in an office environment and involve placing drops of allergen on marked sections of your arm or back and pricking them with a small needle; if allergic, your body will respond with red bumps; results usually become available within 15 minutes. Your doctor may also perform an intradermal skin test by injecting allergen directly into deeper layers of tissue for greater effect than traditional skin prick tests can produce. Alternatively, blood testing to detect specific antibodies may be beneficial when skin tests prove unclear or when known severe allergies make skin tests unsafe.
On occasion, substances which trigger your symptoms might not trigger an allergic response on their own; in these instances, if you believe grass pollen could be an issue for you, your doctor might expose you to it under close observation to see whether this induces sneezing or itchy nose symptoms.
Home remedies
Allergies can significantly diminish quality of life if left unmanaged. Millions of Americans suffer from allergic symptoms caused by indoor allergens like dust mite droppings, pet dander, cockroach parts and molds each year.
When exposed to allergens, people with allergies react by producing histamines that travel throughout their immune systems and trigger chemical reactions in cells, leading to runny nose, itchy eyes or stuffy, itchy throat symptoms. If possible, avoidance is the ideal way to manage allergy symptoms; otherwise antihistamines are often effective treatments for indoor allergens.
Steam therapy can also provide relief for nasal congestion and allergy symptoms, by boiling some water in a small pot, covering your head with a towel, and taking deep breaths of its steam for five to 10 minutes.
Home cleaning and maintenance activities can also help to decrease indoor allergens. Regularly vacuum carpets, furniture and wash bedding in hot water to eliminate dust mites and pet dander; keeping humidity levels under 50 percent helps limit mold allergens; while regularly servicing HVAC systems (with professional cleanings or air filter replacement) is another effective strategy to enhance air quality inside the home.
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