Allergies are caused by your immune system responding negatively to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens, and causing an exaggerated reaction that results in symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion or itching.
Allergies may be caused by various substances, including pet dander, mold spores and dust mites. If symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes occur regularly, visit an allergist to identify what’s triggering your allergies.
Pet Allergies
People typically associate allergies with cats and dogs, however any animal with fur or feathers can trigger allergies. Allergies to animals are caused by proteins found in their dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine being released through petting or grooming to the air and becoming airborne – once airborne they may remain at high levels for months; and may cling onto walls, fabric furniture, clothing and carpets before being stirred back up again during cleaning or vacuuming. Allergic reactions caused by pets include runny nose, sneezing wheezing trouble breathing while more severe reactions such as itchy eyes/ears/hives/rash on skin reactions depending on each individual.
Pet allergens can linger in a home for weeks or even months after an animal leaves, so to best combat their allergens it is wise to limit contact with it by keeping it in its own room without touching it, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner regularly, not dusting, or using upholstery furniture in rooms where the pet resides.
Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) may help desensitize you to pet allergens over three to five years with treatment administered by an immunologist (allergy specialist). Before considering having a pet, it’s wise to meet with an allergy doctor first for diagnosis and treatment options.
Mold Allergies
Mold allergies are caused by an allergic response to tiny fungus spores found virtually everywhere, which are airborne and can trigger runny nose, itchy eyes and breathing difficulties in those sensitive. While symptoms may occur year-round, they are most frequently experienced from July through early fall.
Allergies to mold spores can be as distressing as those caused by pollen or pet dander in that the spores enter our bodies through either our noses or mouths and trigger an immune response, inducing antibodies against them that attack when encountered again, potentially leading to symptoms of allergy.
OTC antihistamines, eye drops and nasal sprays may provide temporary relief of mold allergy symptoms. A physician or allergist may prescribe more powerful medicines. Immunotherapy or allergy shots may also help decrease one’s sensitivity to mold spores and other allergens.
People living with allergies should take steps to limit contact with allergens as much as possible by wearing a mask during household chores and avoiding areas with excessive moisture, like basements. Furthermore, it’s wise to avoid eating foods contaminated with mold spores as much as possible and using quick-relief asthma inhalers when allergic reactions arise. For persistent or severe allergies it may be prudent to visit an allergist or internist.
Dust Allergies
If your symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose or congestion, it could be dust mites that are to blame. These tiny insects cannot be seen without using a microscope and thrive in warm and humid environments such as mattresses, pillows, carpeting and upholstery furniture – affecting approximately 20 million Americans with allergy issues that lead to sinus infections and asthma.
Allergies occur when your immune system incorrectly interprets something in your environment as harmful, producing antibodies to combat it and creating inflammation, leading to symptoms like sneezing. When it comes to dust mites, inflammation triggers are caused by proteins found in their feces, urine or decayed bodies causing your body’s inflammation response to be activated.
Dust mite allergens do not remain airborne for very long; instead they quickly settle onto beddings, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains in areas such as bedrooms and living rooms where people spend much of their time.
Dust mite allergies resemble those of hay fever in that their symptoms can occur year-round, unlike pollen allergies that tend to flare up seasonality. Patients suffering from dust mite allergies also often have shrimp allergies due to cross-reactivity (a phenomenon where one food allergy leads to reactions in another type). Luckily, allergy shots have proven highly successful at alleviating its symptoms in most individuals with this condition.
Airborne Allergens
Airborne allergens include spores and pollen that circulate in the air. If someone is sensitive, these allergens can trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching in those allergic to them. Pollen is produced by plants as part of reproduction; it floats freely through the atmosphere until reaching plants of its same species via pollination. Pollen can often trigger allergies and asthma in susceptible people who are entomophilous (meaning highly allergic to grasses, the main source of pollen) allergies in susceptible people.
Microscopic mites are another source of airborne allergens, typically found in humid environments and easily becoming airborne when disturbed. Their saliva, feces, scales, wings and scales all contain allergenic substances, making mites one of the main indoor allergens responsible for respiratory allergy and asthma symptoms.
Food allergens can also be released into the air and cause allergic symptoms, including itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and wheezing. Airborne food proteins must first be disturbed for them to become aerosolized – simply being near peanut butter sandwiches or hard boiled eggs will not result in an allergic response.
To lower airborne allergen levels in your home, avoid rugs and heavily fabric-covered furniture, close windows when possible and install an air conditioner with an asthma & allergy friendly filter. In addition, wipe surfaces daily before vacuuming/dusting to reduce humidity levels which promote dust mite growth and mold.
Comments are closed