Do your eyes and nose get itchy in wintertime, with runny nose? Allergies caused by dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroaches could be to blame.
Indoor allergies are best managed by avoiding triggers like pet dander, mold spores and dust mites while taking medication prescribed by an allergist. A trained practitioner can identify potential allergy triggers and develop a tailored treatment plan.
Dust mites
Dust mite allergies can result in nasal congestion, runny nose, itching and watery eyes – symptoms which frequently accompany asthma attacks. Research indicates that proteins present in dust mite feces or dead skin cells trigger these symptoms.
Dust mites can be found living in pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture, curtains and carpeting – they thrive in warm and humid environments where they feed on dead skin cells shed from humans and pets daily. Dust mites feature sticky pads on their legs which enable them to adhere tightly to fabrics such as upholstery furniture. Their populations can quickly increase in these humid conditions.
Dust mite allergies typically manifest year-round and affect adults and children alike. Their effects may be worsened by vigorous vacuuming, sweeping, or dusting activity as this stirs up particles more readily allowing inhalation. They often worsen immediately following washing or sleeping on a newly cleaned bed.
Reduce symptoms by eliminating places for mites to live and feed in your home. Wash bedding weekly in hot water (130-140 degrees Fahrenheit), replacing fluffy bedding such as stuffed animals with synthetic materials, taking down window treatments and rugs and keeping humidity below 50 percent with air conditioning or dehumidifiers; this also includes basements or any other humid environments.
Pet dander
Pet dander, microscopic particles shed by warm-blooded pets (cats, dogs and rabbits), feathered birds or even featherless rodents such as rats can trigger indoor allergy symptoms in some people. Airborne microscopic particles from pet dander cling to fabrics, furnishings and walls for months; when disturbed they will quickly return into the atmosphere to be spread throughout a home by fans and air conditioners.
Those suffering from pet dander allergies should restrict access to areas in which you sleep. Have someone without allergies brush your pet frequently to reduce shedding. Also regularly clean their bedding and cage, along with using a vacuum with HEPA filter filter to minimize allergens in the air.
Keep your pet away from your bed, and use a mattress cover to reduce allergen hiding spots. If breathing in pet dander aggravates symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, an antihistamine such as ZYRTEC(r) may provide relief by decreasing these triggers.
If your allergies are severe, speak to your physician about undergoing a blood test for allergen IgE antibodies to confirm pet dander allergy and assist with developing an effective treatment plan. Alternatively, discuss ways of improving home environments as a potential solution.
Mold
Molds are microscopic organisms that thrive in damp environments. Like dust mites, they may trigger allergic reactions in some people. Molds emit tiny reproductive cells called spores into the air that can travel long distances before landing on damp indoor surfaces such as basements, shower stalls, closets and potted plants. Molds digest organic material on which they feed via heterotrophic growth processes to gain energy for survival.
Allergies to mold spores can produce various symptoms, such as runny nose, watery eyes, itchy skin rashes and wheezing. Some types of mold also produce toxic aflatoxins found in some grains (corn, peanuts, cottonseeds and tree nuts) which have been linked with liver cancer in humans.
To lower your exposure to allergens, close all doors and windows during warm weather; vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner; use air conditioning or dehumidifiers; wash contaminated fabric regularly using nonwashable methods, wear a mask when cleaning; repair leaky pipes and ventilate basements as necessary; take steps to control cockroaches and mice with inexpensive traps from hardware stores or hire an exterminator if necessary. Also speak to your physician if persistent allergy symptoms develop; they may refer you onward for evaluation by an allergist or physician.
Pollen
Pollen is a fine powdery substance released by plants as part of their reproductive strategy, containing genetic material for future plant development and traveling by wind to fertilize other species within its species – this process is called pollination. Pollen allergies usually result from immune reactions triggered by breathing pollen inhaled and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes as well as asthma attacks in those suffering from allergy-induced asthma.
Pollen levels increase during spring, summer, and fall months, leading to seasonal allergies that cause symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. Mild symptoms may progress into chronic rhinitis.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, one way to help alleviate them is staying indoors on windy days when pollen counts are high and keeping windows closed and using air conditioning to cool and dry the air. Your doctor may also prescribe allergy and asthma medicines.
If you suspect an allergy to certain pollen, a healthcare professional can conduct a skin test to identify it. They inject small doses of potential allergens under your skin, and if they turn red and swell within 15 minutes, that indicates you possess IgE antibodies against that particular pollen.
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