Allergies can cause symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat irritation that often mimic flu or cold symptoms; however, allergies tend to last longer and require medical intervention for treatment.
Indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mold and cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions in people. Allergists can help identify indoor allergen triggers and suggest effective solutions.
Medications
Allergies are immune system responses to substances which are usually harmless for our bodies, known as allergens. Allergic responses often include runny noses, itching eyes and watery eyes; more serious conditions include asthma or anaphylaxis; however allergy medication can help mitigate allergy-related symptoms and can even prevent their occurrence altogether.
Allergy medications work by decreasing or blocking histamine production in your body, which produces chemicals called histamines when exposed to allergens and that cause your eyes, nose and throat to itch, your throat sting and your skin to break out in hives. Antihistamines work by stopping histamines from attaching themselves to receptors on your receptors in various forms such as pills, capsules liquids and nasal sprays – newer antihistamines like Claritin (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Fexofenadine (Allegra), while diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may cause sleepiness so short term use may be best.
If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may suggest immunotherapy or allergy shots as a solution to train your immune system to resist certain allergens. Over three to five years, injections containing small quantities of the allergen(s) you’re allergic to are given in small doses to allow the immune system to recognize them more quickly and resist their impact.
Allergy shots
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT), commonly referred to as allergy shots, is a long-term treatment option designed to alleviate allergy symptoms while decreasing the need for medications. They work by injecting small doses of allergens subcutaneously into one arm at a time; over time this helps your body build immunity against them.
At first, during the “Build-Up Phase,” allergy shots will be administered regularly over seven months or more; your doctor gradually increases the concentration of allergens in each injection, until an anaphylaxis reaction (anaphylaxis) does not occur. You should remain in their office for 30 minutes post injection just to be safe – during this period it’s common to experience redness or warmth at injection sites which usually subside shortly afterwards.
Once the build-up stage is over, your allergist will prescribe a maintenance dose which typically lasts three to five years. This phase is essential in alleviating symptoms as it prevents your body from becoming immune to allergens again and returning to its previous hypersensitivity level. With proper maintenance schedule in place, you may even be able to stop taking medications altogether, though until then be mindful of what triggers them and ensure medications are taken as instructed.
Clean your home regularly
Home can often feel less like an oasis for allergy sufferers than like an allergen-filled battleground, with dust mites hiding in carpets, pet dander clinging to furniture and mold spores lingering in damp corners causing an array of uncomfortable symptoms. But with careful cleaning techniques in place and regular vacuuming your home can become a safe haven free from irritations that bring on unpleasant reactions.
Millions of people suffer year-round allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens like dust mite droppings, animal dander and cockroach droppings. These irritants can trigger allergic reactions in your nose, eyes, throat and skin by stimulating an overreactive immune response that then releases antibodies to travel to cells which release chemicals that lead to itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and itching that spread across your nasal passageway, throat mouth and skin – often with itchy welts spreading from these invaders! To combat them your body releases antibodies which travel directly into cells which then release chemicals leading to itchy eyes, runny nose sneezing and itching that spread throughout all these places – such as itchy eye /runny nose /mouth/skin.
At home, the key to reducing indoor allergen exposure lies in regularly cleaning your home and washing bedding with hot water – this kills dust mites and other microorganisms which cause allergies, so be sure to include sheets, pillowcases and blankets in your laundry routine! Incorporating regular vacuuming and decluttering as part of your weekly laundry can also help. In addition, changing filters regularly as well as professional air duct cleaning every few years are both crucial steps towards keeping allergens away.
Keep pets out of your home
Your allergies might seem seasonal, but indoor allergens such as pet dander can wreak havoc year-round and be caused by dust mites, mold spores or even cockroaches – making for year-round allergy symptoms!
Dogs and cats shed dander, one of the primary triggers for indoor allergy symptoms. Pet dander contains allergens including saliva-based proteins and skin cells which trigger immune system reactions; its light particles float freely through the air causing problems for 10-20% of those suffering from allergies or asthma.
Allergens found in pet dander can stick to carpets, drapes and upholstery furniture in a room and be spread through air vents to other rooms in your home. To limit exposure to allergens associated with pet dander it is essential that pets remain confined in areas of the home where they won’t affect others and be vacuumed/steam cleaned regularly – additionally it would help if bedding/cages were cleaned on an ongoing basis.
Allergists recommend designating certain rooms of the home as “pet-free zones,” including bedrooms and offices. This helps reduce pet dander in the air and alleviate allergy symptoms. For those who must keep pets, be sure that someone without an allergic reaction regularly brushes and wipes down each animal after going outside with allergy wipes to remove pollen, dirt and other allergens that might enter. It may also be wise to have an air purifier installed for these spaces.
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