Indoor allergen allergies can trigger symptoms including runny nose, watery eyes and itching – much like seasonal allergies such as hay fever; however, they occur year-round rather than just during spring or fall.
Allergy medications may help alleviate allergy symptoms. An alternative option, called allergy shots, involves slowly increasing doses of allergens until your immune system becomes desensitized to them.
Dust Mites
Dust mites, eight-legged relatives of ticks and spiders, can be found living in bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpeting and curtains. Their presence causes indoor allergies that often include runny noses, itchy watery eyes and sneezing; further worsening asthma symptoms in some individuals.
Dust mite proteins cause allergy symptoms in susceptible individuals by stimulating their bodies to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against an allergen; these IgE antibodies then attack it, leading to symptoms like itching, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. People who are already predisposed to allergies through chronic sinusitis or eczema or have family histories of Atopy — an inherited genetic predisposition to developing allergies — are at an increased risk of dust mite allergies.
Your healthcare provider can conduct a dust mite allergy test by cleansing part of your arm with iodine or alcohol and scratching its surface with a thin needle (lancet). They’ll add dust mite proteins as droplets into the scratch mark. If they detect high levels of IgE antibodies in your bloodstream, chances are high you have one; keeping a record of when symptoms appear can help them determine the source.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches can be hard to get rid of and contribute to indoor allergies. While hunting at night for food sources, cockroaches leave behind allergenic particles in their saliva, feces and body parts which can trigger symptoms upon direct contact or when inhaled – just like dust mite allergens can do. Cockroach allergens have also been known to trigger breathing issues such as asthma.
Cockroach allergens can also cause skin reactions such as rashes and itching, according to studies. Cockroaches have even been found to trigger allergic asthma in as much as 12 percent of people without other allergy symptoms; their prevalence tends to be more prevalent among women than men, and can even worsen over time in children.
However, many of the same strategies that help manage allergy symptoms caused by other allergens can also help manage cockroach allergies effectively. These strategies include regular cleaning to remove food debris, sealing containers securely and using pesticides when necessary.
Over-the-counter and prescription medicines may also help relieve cockroach allergy symptoms. Antihistamines come in pills, liquids and nasal spray forms; they help reduce sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes while nasal corticosteroids reduce swelling while runny or stuffy nose symptoms are relieved. Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) may also be beneficial – talk to your healthcare provider about which option is right for you!
Pets
Pets are wonderful companions in many households, but they can also trigger allergy symptoms. Allergens from cat saliva and skin flakes (dander) can cling to fur, clothing and carpeting and cause anything from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma attacks; pet dander may remain high levels in homes for months at a time.
Pet dander allergens can get into the air through various activities such as pet grooming or stroke, vacuuming, dusting or other household activities. Once airborne, these allergens can cling to walls, fabric furniture and clothing as well as carpets or bedding where they remain at high levels for an extended period.
If you experience strong reactions when around certain types of animals, ask your physician for an allergy test. Allergy tests measure IgE antibodies produced when your immune system recognizes an allergen as dangerous; during an allergy test a healthcare professional will insert small amount of blood from an arm vein into a laboratory where IgE antibodies against various allergens will be tested against. If IgE antibodies for one specific allergen are high then you could likely be allergic and medication can be prescribed by your physician to control and prevent future outbreaks of illness.
Mold
Mold spores are one of the most prevalent indoor allergens that can trigger sinus issues, runny nose and itchy eyes. Mold releases its spores into the air from damp environments like basements and can even be found on soap-coated grout and behind walls in framing. Some mold species even produce mycotoxins – toxic substances which produce liver damage and other illnesses of the body including lung damage – potentially leading to allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mold allergies may develop from any number of circumstances but more likely occurring if family history, working in an occupation that exposes you to mold exposure or living in an environment with high humidity are all involved.
Mold allergy symptoms are similar to pollen allergies and may occur year round; however, many individuals find them worse during summer or fall months when moisture levels are at their peak and conditions more conducive for growth of mold spores.
Your doctor can identify mold allergies by reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical exam and drawing blood to test for antibodies in your system. A skin prick test or blood test may also help identify specific mold allergies; all this information will then be used by them to create the ideal treatment plan for you; avoidance is usually helpful, while oral medicines like BENADRYL may offer quick relief of allergy-related symptoms if this isn’t possible.
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