Pet dander, dust mites and mold allergies can make for itchy eyes and runny noses year-round, even while at home. Antihistamine medication or changing your cleaning routine could be effective ways of helping alleviate these allergy issues.
Indoor allergens can be more than an inconvenience; they can even be life-threatening. Studies suggest that multifaceted interventions targeted at reducing multiple allergens are more successful than single allergen reduction strategies.
Pet Allergies
Pet allergies don’t only apply to dogs and cats – any fur-bearing animal with fur can trigger allergic reactions in people. Animal dander triggers your immune system’s protective mechanism in which it thinks it is protecting you from an outside threat. Medication such as antihistamines may help manage symptoms by decreasing production of allergenic chemicals in your body, relieving itching, and alleviating sneezing.
Pet allergy symptoms may develop immediately or over several days. You might notice they go away when spending time at someone else’s house without animals; runny nose, sneezing, and itching are similar to symptoms associated with the common cold; if these persist please consult a physician immediately.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam, possibly using a lighted instrument to examine the inside lining of your nose, before possibly referring you to an allergist for skin-prick or blood tests to ascertain exactly which animal(s) cause your allergies. A combination of medical control of symptoms as well as mitigating allergen levels through cleaning methods, immunotherapy or antihistamine medications often allows people with pet allergies to continue living happily with their beloved animals.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny wingless creatures that thrive in warm and humid indoor environments. Their presence can trigger allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to them, including runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing; in extreme cases they can even worsen asthmatic attacks and cause wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pressure (chest pain).
People allergic to dust mites can suffer from sinus infections caused by inflamed nasal passage tissues that swell up and infiltrate sinuses, restricting airflow into them and leading to buildups of mucus; furthermore, this condition can irritate respiratory tract and produce cough-like coughs similar to common cold or sore throat symptoms; people sensitive to dust mites may also develop skin allergies due to proteins found in dead mites’ feces and body parts triggering these sensitisations.
Though dust mites cannot be completely eliminated from your home, there are steps you can take to decrease their population. Use an air conditioning system with humidity levels below 50% in order to limit their growth and use HEPA filters in your ductwork for maximum impact. Vacuum frequently to remove allergens from carpeting and upholstery furniture as well as washing bedding regularly with hot water (make sure that mattresses, pillows, and quilts have allergen-proof covers!).
Mold
Mold can be an allergen that causes runny nose, itchy eyes and skin rashes. Furthermore, mold exposure can irritate lungs further aggravate asthma symptoms.
Mold spores can be found all year long, growing best in damp environments like compost piles, rotting logs and fallen leaves, bathrooms and basements. Some forms of mold produce mycotoxins – poisonous toxins which may be inhaled through airways and cause liver or kidney diseases.
Mold allergies often manifest themselves with symptoms that include runny nose, itchy eyes or skin and sneezing, plus you might also detect a musty, earthy scent in the home. These reactions resemble reactions caused by other allergens such as pet dander and dust mites.
Doctors can diagnose mold allergies through a medical history review, physical exam and sometimes blood or skin tests. A skin test typically involves applying small extracts of different kinds of mold directly onto your skin and monitoring for any reddened patches that form as reactions – this way a definitive diagnosis can be reached quickly and reliably.
Mold allergies are usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as antihistamines and nasal steroids, although you can reduce exposure by avoiding damp areas, keeping humidity down, and using an air purifier with HEPA filter filtration. You should also wear a mask when engaging in outdoor activities to monitor mold counts before venturing outside.
Asthma
Allergic reactions to indoor allergens can trigger asthma, a chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath; additional symptoms include skin rashes or itchiness. Asthma can be caused by many things including pollen, dust mites and pet dander as well as stress, colds, exercise changes in weather or certain medications – as well as being triggered by stressors like colds.
Asthmatic patients should do all they can to limit exposure to indoor allergens as much as possible, including hiring someone to cut the grass regularly if pollen is a trigger, washing bedding in hot water once weekly, and investing in a dehumidifier if mold issues are an issue.
If over-the-counter medicines fail, an allergist may prescribe prescription medicines or immunotherapy (allergy shots). Antihistamines are popularly prescribed, helping relieve symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes/ears by blocking histamine release in the body. Corticosteroid sprays and orally administered immunotherapy tablets may also help, slowly increasing tolerance to allergens over time. For asthmatics, an allergist can provide inhaled steroids as well as suggest dietary supplements to support lung function improvement.
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