If sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose have become year-round symptoms, you could have indoor allergies caused by pet dander, dust mites, mold spores or cockroaches – these types of allergies could even trigger asthma attacks!
Consult a dermatologist about skin tests to identify your allergies. When choosing flooring materials, opt for wood over carpet, use “mite-proof” pillow cases on pillows and mattresses and regularly launder bedding in hot water.
Pets
Pet allergies can be caused by saliva, dead skin cells and urine from pets; small rodents like hamsters and gerbils may also set them off due to chemicals found in their cages and bedding; allergens from moving pets between rooms can then spread like wildfire – leading to symptoms including sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes for some individuals; inhaling pet dander can also trigger nasal symptoms including sneezing. Contact with pets can trigger an allergic response which involves itching as well as red welts on skin; touch is another way of spreading allergens around – with any movement taking place when pets move between rooms or houses bringing their allergens from one room/house/house to another causing this spreading like wildfire!
Allergies to pets typically arise from hypersensitivity to their proteins. Allergy testing can be used to confirm and identify which animal causes symptoms; your GP or Health Professional can refer you for this test, which exposes your body to various pet allergens.
Keep your pets outside or in an enclosed shed can help reduce allergens in the home. Vacuuming and washing carpets regularly will also help remove allergens; replacing wall-to-wall carpet with tile, wood or linoleum flooring would also be preferable. Have someone without pets brush your animal regularly to remove fur and dander; ask them also to clean the litter box, bedding and cage of the animal in question. Additionally, installing high efficiency air filters specifically in bedrooms and living rooms may reduce pet dander levels significantly
Dust Mites
Dust mites, small relatives of ticks and spiders, thrive in warm and humid environments. Their digestive enzymes eat dead skin cells while proteins from their droppings and decaying bodies cause allergic reactions that cause runny noses, itchy eyes and wheezing symptoms when inhaled.
Mites live in bedding, mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture and carpets; they may also cling to walls and floors as well as the insides of ductwork and furnace filters.
Dust mite allergies typically manifest themselves with symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose or throat irritation, nasal congestion and watery eyes. Some individuals may also experience wheezing while sleeping; seek medical care if these symptoms worsen, or if you become short of breath after minimal activity.
Your allergist can determine if you have an allergy to dust mites by performing a skin prick test. Your allergist will prick a small amount of allergen into the area around your prick and examine for redness, itching or raised, round spots called wheals on the area where they prick your skin.
To reduce dust mites in your home, avoid carpeted areas like rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting and use air conditioning or dehumidification to keep humidity below 50%; additionally utilizing HEPA filter in heating and cooling system may be effective; seal mattresses and pillows in zippered allergy covers before laundering your bedding with hot water (at least 130 F) once weekly for maximum effectiveness.
Mold
Mold spores can enter your body through inhalation or contact and trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Furthermore, they may reach your lungs and trigger asthma symptoms. Mold spores may present a year-round problem, though levels tend to drop off significantly in winter and rise in summer. You are more likely to experience mold allergy symptoms if you spend time in damp or humid rooms such as basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Mold spores may also be found in food if it has become contaminated. There have been several documented instances of cross-reactivity between specific foods and molds that cause respiratory allergies – such as mushrooms and Quorn vegetarian “meat” product as well as spinach and pancake mix products that have become contaminated.
Mold allergies result from your immune system being overly sensitive to mold spores. When exposed over time, your immune system responds with increased severity by producing antibodies against them; eventually this leads to allergy symptoms appearing. Many types of mold can trigger allergies, with alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium often being the most allergenic. Some forms produce mycotoxins – poisonous substances which attack both lung tissue and other organs. Mold allergies aren’t always obvious; their symptoms can easily be mistaken for other issues like hay fever or flu. Your physician can diagnose one through physical exam, review of medical history and skin or blood test.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways. It may be brought on by allergens like dust mites, mold spores, animal dander or pollen which swell up and inflame airways resulting in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness; allergic asthma may even lead to death.
Indoor allergies are caused by various agents such as pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and the body parts of insects like rodents, cockroaches and wild rodents or animals (such as domestic pets and wild animal dander). Thanks to advances in molecular biology many allergy-causing agents have been identified and isolated for analysis.
Mold spores can form on damp surfaces indoors and outdoors after rain or during humid days, and their allergenicity can cause nasal congestion, itchy eyes, or asthmatic reactions in sensitive people. Cockroaches also emit allergenic particles – common culprits include saliva, feces and body parts of their own. Cockroaches tend to inhabit older buildings such as restaurants or homes and may release these allergens that may trigger attacks in sensitive individuals.
Allergies to pets may result from their fur, urine, saliva or dander (skin flakes). Cats are among the most frequently affected animals as their allergens contain proteins produced by sebaceous glands that appear as allergenic proteins in their fur, urine, saliva and dander; allergens from other pets include hair dander saliva sweat.
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