Though allergy symptoms typically stem from tree, grass or weed pollen during the spring, summer, and fall months, they can also occur year-round from indoor allergens like dust mites, cockroach parts, mold growth or pet dander – and can be controlled using medication or immunotherapy treatments.
Preventing allergy symptoms requires understanding your triggers. A qualified allergist can conduct skin tests to identify common allergens and suggest medication or immunotherapy treatments as necessary.
Prevention
Allergies can be an ongoing struggle. While seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, may manifest at certain times of year, indoor allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and cockroach droppings can wreak havoc throughout wintertime.
Indoor allergens can trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itching and watery eyes. These symptoms may interfere with sleep or cause general feelings of discomfort that disrupt daily life.
There are thankfully numerous steps available to prevent allergic reactions caused by indoor allergens. Vacuuming carpets, furniture and surfaces on a weekly basis is one of the best ways to eliminate dust, pet dander, pollen and other allergens from your home, while regularly washing bedding in hot water will help control dust mites. Furthermore, keeping humidity levels below 50% helps limit mold and mildew growth, and an air cleaner with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly(r) filter can eliminate up to 98% of allergens from your airspace!
Staying away from smoke-filled homes and strong-scented candles may also help alleviate allergy symptoms, while replacing carpets with hardwood or tile floors will lower allergen counts in your home’s atmosphere. For optimal results, consult an allergist to assess their symptoms and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Medications
Allergy medications can help relieve your allergy symptoms and can be taken orally as tablets, liquids and eye drops. Antihistamines reduce your body’s allergic response; OTC antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) are available over-the-counter as antihistamines; decongestants help relieve nasal congestion while leukotriene modifiers such as montelukast (Singulair) work by reducing inflammation caused by certain allergy triggers – these medicines are used to treat asthmatic attacks as well as treating Rhinitis (nose allergies).
Many people use oral steroids in pill form to relieve inflammation in their nose and throat. Another effective option is corticosteroid spray such as Cromolyn (Alendronate), available over-the-counter.
Allergen immunotherapy (also referred to as allergy shots or immunotherapy) can be an effective option for those suffering from indoor allergies. This form of treatment works to desensitize your immune system to allergens by administering small doses under medical supervision. Allergen immunotherapy may take the form of injections in an office setting, or it can be taken at home as an oral tablet with diluted allergens dissolved under your tongue. Treatment times will depend on each person and could take as little as one year; treatment might involve animal dander, mold spores or pollen as allergens for use with this therapy; seasonal allergies require multiple sessions as a solution.
Allergy shots
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), commonly referred to as allergy shots, is an effective solution that can significantly decrease symptoms and medication use over time. SCIT works by gradually introducing small amounts of allergens into the body in small quantities at first; then gradually increasing them over several months as part of what’s known as “build-up phase.” Your allergist will administer these shots at our clinic at least once or twice weekly and gradually increasing allergen extract in each injection; this phase is known as build-up therapy.
Allergens cause allergic reactions by prompting your immune system to overreact and release chemicals such as histamines into the bloodstream, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itching and wheezing. Allergy shots can alter how your immune system responds by increasing tolerance, decreasing symptoms or possibly eliminating them entirely.
Most individuals with seasonal or year-round allergies that don’t respond well to medications are good candidates for allergy shots. Unfortunately, those who suffer from poorly controlled asthma should avoid this treatment option, since it could worsen asthmatic symptoms.
Notify your allergist immediately if any adverse reactions arise after receiving shots, such as localized reactions such as swelling or changes to skin color around where they were administered. In case of serious side effects such as throat swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately and visit an emergency room immediately.
Testing
Many people overlook their indoor environment when considering allergies, yet your home could be a major source of irritation if you’re exposed to allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores or cockroaches. Common symptoms associated with such allergies include year-round sneezing, itchy eyes and nose as well as wheezing and other respiratory problems. Vacuuming carpets weekly as well as laundering bedding in hot water is key in eliminating allergens; having your HVAC system professionally cleaned once every year and changing filters at least every three months will also prevent them from blowing into your home’s air and keeping allergens away from entering into its air system and spreading further into its air system.
If these symptoms continue, consulting an allergist is recommended. Your specialist will utilize skin prick testing (also called RAST or ImmunoCAP lab testing) to pinpoint which allergens are causing discomfort for you.
EverlyWell at-home test kits provide another method for pinpointing allergy triggers within your own home environment. This test measures your immune globulin E (IgE) antibody reactivity to 40 commonly encountered allergens like grasses, trees, weeds, pets, mold and dust mites using an easy finger prick blood collection method and sends your sample for testing at CLIA certified lab. Once processed you’ll receive your own personalized report within two to three weeks!
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