Indoor allergies resemble hay fever in that they produce itchy eyes, nose, throat and runny nose symptoms as well as sneezing. Untreated cases may progress further into wheezing and lower respiratory problems requiring treatment.
Antihistamines and decongestants may provide temporary relief of allergy symptoms. If they continue, immunotherapy may be recommended, which involves gradually exposing yourself to small doses of allergen over a prolonged period of time in order to desensitize yourself to it.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are small relatives of ticks and spiders that live in warm, humid environments and cannot be seen without using a microscope. As one of the main sources of year-round allergies and asthma attacks, they thrive in bedding, mattresses, pillows, carpeting and upholstery furniture – feeding off shed skin cells while producing proteins found in their feces or dead bodies which cause allergic reactions in those susceptible.
Sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes can all be symptoms of dust mite allergies; severe symptoms could even be mistaken for a cold or flu. Allergy testing can confirm whether or not you have one; skin prick testing involves injecting small amounts of allergen under the surface of your skin in order to determine an allergic response.
Reduce your exposure to dust mites by using tightly woven, allergen-proof covers on mattresses and pillows, washing bedding in hot water weekly and replacing carpet with hard surface flooring; washing stuffed toys/dolls in hot water are also effective measures that can help minimize dust mites.
Dust is composed of minute particles blown around by wind through open spaces like windows, doors and cracks, such as windows, doors or cracks. These fine particles include pollen, animal dander, hair fibers and dirt; some of which may be inhaled and others settle onto surfaces where they can be removed using cloths, shoes or vacuum cleaners.
Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in warm and damp environments, spreading by sending out light “seeds,” called spores, into the air that are easily inhaled by susceptible people. Exposure to these spores often triggers allergic reactions in susceptible people such as runny nose and itchy eyes. People exposed regularly may even develop fungal asthma symptoms that cause wheezing and difficulty breathing; particularly among children.
Like other allergies, when mold spores are inhaled they attach themselves to immune system cells and cause an overreaction from your immune system. Your body recognizes these foreign invaders and produces antibodies in an attempt to rid itself of them – such reactions include itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin or any combination thereof – symptoms which resemble those seen during hay fever but with no fixed season.
People may develop mold allergies because they are genetically predisposed or have experienced other allergies, such as pollen. Others may be exposed to environmental factors like smoking or chronic infections that trigger an allergic response and contribute to mold allergy symptoms. Antihistamines may help alleviate nasal and sinus irritation; in cases when that’s not possible, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants may provide additional relief from symptoms.
Animals
Animal dander (allergens in saliva and skin glands) can trigger allergy symptoms in the nose, eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Pets lick themselves frequently to leave behind allergen-triggering proteins which cling to walls, carpets, clothing and furniture – and those allergic may experience anything from mild sniffles and sneezing to life-threatening asthma attacks as a result of being allergic. Dog and cat allergies are most often the culprit; rodents, rabbits and guinea pigs all can produce allergen-triggering proteins which cling onto walls whereas reptiles and birds rarely do because they don’t shed fur – though their relatives the rats do shed.
People can be allergic to wild animals such as mice and birds in addition to common household pets like dogs and cats. Mice allergens can be present indoors from their hair and urine shed, dust accumulation in litter boxes or cages, or from hair shedding by humans with allergies to them. Cockroaches and rats have also been associated with asthma in some people; molecular identification, cloning and expression of new allergens has enabled strategies for their avoidance and diagnosis of allergic disease.
To minimize exposure to animal dander, it is best to keep pets out of the bedroom and create an impermeable barrier between their furry friend and furniture. Carpets should also be regularly vacuumed or replaced with hard surfaces; bedding and blankets should also be washed in hot water regularly. Antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids may provide temporary relief; for more severe allergies immunotherapy may also help desensitize immune systems to pet dander allergens if required by an allergist.
Asthma
Allergies can cause a range of reactions that include sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes – symptoms which are compounded with asthma. When these reactions manifest themselves further, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing may ensue.
Asthma and allergies can be triggered by many different substances, including pet dander, dust mite droppings, cockroach droppings, mold spores and mold spores. While some individuals are allergic to one or more allergens listed here, others only react sensitively to combinations thereof; others still may inherit allergies from family members while some develop symptoms without apparent cause.
Persons suffering from allergies have an immune system which overreacts to certain substances it considers threats, producing antibodies which bind with cells which release chemicals that lead to allergic symptoms ranging from mild to serious and even life-threatening reactions.
As it can be hard to pinpoint what triggers an allergic reaction, keeping a diary can help physicians quickly pinpoint which allergens may be triggering your symptoms and suggest strategies to manage or minimize them. Other factors which influence allergy and asthma symptoms could include temperature, humidity levels, weather changes, medications taken as prescribed and stress levels of each individual person.
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