If your eyes and nose itch, or runny, this could be due to allergies to common household allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores or cockroaches. Allergens like these can wreak havoc year-round but particularly so during the winter when heating systems recirculate allergens throughout your home and spread them around further.
Pet Allergies
Allergies to pets are an all too common condition among both children and adults alike. Fur-bearing animals like cats and dogs can present particular problems due to shedding dander (like animal dandruff), saliva, urine, and feces which can trigger nasal and eye symptoms in those susceptible. Meanwhile, feathered creatures like birds and gerbils may contain chemicals in their droppings that could cause allergic reactions in those susceptible.
Symptoms typically persist as long as exposure to allergens does, although desensitization may take place with repeated low levels of exposure. They usually manifest themselves nasally with itchy, runny nose and eyes – commonly observed among pet allergy sufferers who find relief by spending time away from home with family or on holidays where no pets are present – such as camping trips.
If your child experiences year-round nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, it would be wise to visit an allergist to be tested for allergies. An allergist will use skin prick tests to confirm a diagnosis before providing treatments that may include antihistamines or even allergy shots if necessary.
Dust Mites
Dust mites, tiny relatives of ticks and spiders, thrive in warm and humid environments such as mattresses, pillows, carpets, and upholstery furniture where they may live up to three months before droppings are inhaled by people and can trigger allergies in many people.
Your immune system responds to dust mite proteins by producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies which target allergens found in dust mite proteins and create allergy symptoms in those sensitive to them, such as runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. Furthermore, allergies may irritate skin conditions like eczema causing redness, scaling and itching which is only made worse by these allergens.
To control symptoms, wash bedding weekly in hot water with zippered allergy-proof covers on mattresses, box springs, and pillows – these can be found online and in most stores that sell bed linens – while vacuuming regularly focusing on seams and crevices, regularly washing stuffed animals blankets quilts as well as dehumidifiers or opening windows periodically to reduce humidity levels within your home. If allergies continue persisting seek medical advice – an allergist can conduct tests to confirm a diagnosis and recommend medications or immunotherapy treatments which could potentially improve symptoms – immunotherapy in particular can be highly effective at helping those suffering with dust mite allergies.
Mold
Molds are small fungi that thrive in moist environments and are an ongoing allergy trigger. Like dust mites, mold spores can trigger an immune reaction when their presence is detected by your immune system as harmful; symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy eyes – although children with mold allergies may also develop asthma or hay fever symptoms.
Mold spores can be inhaled or consumed through inhalation and ingestion, potentially impacting every organ system of a child’s body. They easily enter through skin absorption and can often be found in their eyes, nose and throat areas. They may even cause fungal eye infections like conjunctivitis – itchy eyes with watery discharge.
How you react to mold depends on the severity and duration of exposure; symptoms may worsen with prolonged mold presence as its spores have more time to reproduce and spread.
Molds produce mycotoxins that can enter the bloodstream through ingestion, potentially interfering with brain function and leading to mood shifts and digestive issues. Therefore, it is crucial that professional removal take place as soon as possible.
Other Allergens
Millions of people suffer year-round indoor allergies caused by dust mite droppings, mold spores and mammals such as pets or rodents – both domesticated ones such as mice) as well as non-domesticated ones such as rodents – as well as cockroaches. Indoor allergens differ significantly from outdoor ones which include trees, grasses, weeds and cat dander as well as ragweed, mold spores or cat dander; when inhaled these allergens cause your immune system to produce antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which travel to cells which release chemicals into the air and cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing watery eyes or itching in nose, throat or ears – symptoms which include sneezing, watery eyes or itching in nose throat or ears as well.
Studies on allergen exposure tend to focus on home environments; however, schools and daycare facilities also represent important sources for allergen exposure. Children spend significant amounts of time in these facilities and therefore are at higher risk for allergy or asthma development.
Allergens from Penicillium species are widely found indoor fungi that cause allergic disease in sensitized individuals. Sensitized individuals may develop sensitivities to their allergenic proteins such as serine proteases Pen c 13 and Pen c 18 with IgE reactivity of 88% and 82%, respectively; these proteins share homology to tropomyosin proteins from crustaceans and mollusks; cross-reactivity has been demonstrated in over 50% of house dust mite-sensitized patients.
If you or your child suffer from allergy symptoms, consult with a physician about all available therapies to treat them. These may include antihistamines, decongestants and inhaled nasal steroids; alternatively, allergenic immunotherapy could provide a series of injections that build immunity over time.
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