Allergies can wreak havoc year-round. If nasal stuffiness, itchy watery eyes, sneezing and post-nasal drip occur constantly then this could be a telltale sign that nonseasonal hay fever (commonly referred to as perennial allergic rhinitis) has set in.
This allergy is caused by allergens like pet dander, mold spores, dust mites and cockroaches; they may also trigger asthma symptoms.
Dust Mites
Dust mites, the tiny relatives of ticks and spiders that cause common allergy symptoms, thrive in warm, humid environments such as bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture and carpeting. When dust mite allergies strike, symptoms include runny noses, watery eyes and sneezing – and in extreme cases even an anaphylactic response that leads to wheezing coughing, facial pressure or even life threatening reactions if severe enough.
Allergic reactions to dust mites may last months or years and is known as perennial allergic rhinitis or dust mite allergy. Dust mite allergens can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms as well as cause itchy skin rashes that become itchy with time. Unfortunately, these tiny creatures do not bite; their presence cannot even be detected with the naked eye.
People may become sensitive to dust mites due to family history and exposure; children and young adults are particularly prone to this issue, while having pets and living in humid climates increase risks of allergy. To reduce humidity levels and mitigate symptoms, remove upholstered furniture such as sofas and replace carpeting with wood or linoleum floors instead of carpet. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas; regularly launder all bedding, curtains and clothing (once or twice weekly in hot water); consider covering mattresses and pillows with special allergen encasements; minimize clutter; regularly launder stuffed toys so as to eliminate dust mites from blooming back out!
Mold
Mold allergies are caused by airborne spores of various kinds of fungi found in damp areas. When exposed, your immune system views them as invaders and responds by producing antibodies which create symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. As with other allergens, mold spores may trigger allergy symptoms at any time of year – however they tend to worsen with warm and dry weather conditions.
Mold allergies could affect you if:
Experienced mold infestation can occur in buildings with excessive moisture content such as basements, construction sites, warehouses and factories.
Experience allergies or asthma in your family history. Being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma increases your likelihood of mold allergies.
Mold allergy typically develops over time with repeated exposure to certain mold spores in food or with respiratory allergies that trigger it, including respiratory reactions that cross-react with food allergens like molds. A physician can diagnose mold allergy using skin tests or blood tests that detect immunoglobulin E antibodies specific for different molds.
Pets
Pet dander and urine are among the top three indoor allergy triggers, often leading to symptoms including runny nose, itchy eyes, nasal congestion and asthma exacerbations. Even if you don’t own pets yourself, chances are good you are exposed to their allergens through friends, family members or inviting them over to your home.
Pet allergens are sticky substances that cling to walls, fabric furniture and carpets. When dry, they become airborne and can linger for months – often reigniting when pets groom themselves or when dusting or vacuuming takes place. Pet allergies affect people of all ages but are most frequently caused by cats and dogs, although fish or reptiles could also trigger reactions.
Pet allergy symptoms can be effectively managed by limiting contact with pets and cleaning regularly, using HEPA filters in air ducts and humidifiers, washing/bathing them frequently to reduce dander production, asking a friend or relative without pet allergies to care for your animal for some weeks or engaging in immunotherapy which will desensitize you over time.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by symptoms including wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing. People living with asthma also often experience nasal congestion, itchy eyes and nose, chest tightening sensation and fatigue; symptoms occur when too much immunoglobulin E (IgE) from immune system releases attaches itself to receptors on airway wall receptors causing them to swell and inflame further.
Asthmatics may have allergies to different substances, including grass, tree or ragweed pollen; mold spores; pet dander; cockroach waste particles and some chemicals/preservatives found in food/beverages; strong smells as well as respiratory viruses like influenza and pneumonia may all trigger their attacks.
Allergic reactions often play a part in asthma symptoms for children and adolescents, but asthma can develop in adults as well. Diagnosing asthma requires looking at history of symptoms, physical examination and spirometry testing results as well as potential bronchoprovocation testing in some cases. Patients typically receive long-term control medications (oral corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers/biologics etc), short-term relief medicines like inhalers and allergy shots as treatment; decreasing allergen exposure in your home could help manage/prevent/manage symptoms of asthma symptoms effectively.
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