What Causes Indoor Allergies?
- When the immune system has been previously "sensitized" to a specific invader, it overreacts to the invader; this overreaction to a harmless substance is known as a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.
- This reaction sets in motion a series of responses that culminates in release of chemicals called "mediators." ...
- It is the effects of the mediators on cells and tissues that cause allergic symptoms.
Could you be allergic to Your House?
Your home is your castle -- except when you’re allergic to it. A recent nationwide survey found that over half of all Americans test positive for at least some allergens, and many of these are indoor allergies such as dust, mold, and pet dander.
Could I be allergic to my house?
While many people have seasonal pollen allergies that flare in spring and fall, allergies triggered by indoor sources tend to linger year-round. If you find your allergies persisting beyond the standard pollen seasons, you may be allergic to something in your home. The best thing to do is to talk to an allergy doctor.
Are You allergic to your own home?
Yep, it’s possible that you’re allergic to your own house. When it comes to air pollution, most of the attention goes to outdoor air quality and issues like smog. But did you know that indoor air – the air that you breathe inside your own home – is typically much dirtier and more dangerous to your health?
Can allergies kill you?
Allergies, in general, can become lethal if they cause anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a rare but severe allergic reaction that can occur suddenly, escalate quickly, and potentially even be deadly. The condition comes on rapidly and can lead to death if the individual doesn’t receive prompt treatment.
Why does my house give me allergies?
The most common causes of indoor allergies are dust, mold, and pet dander, says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist/immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network. But did you know that cockroaches can also trigger itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing?
How can I stop being allergic to my house?
What Steps Can I Take to Control Indoor Allergens?Control dust mites. Keep surfaces in your home clean and uncluttered. ... Vacuum once or twice a week. ... Prevent pet dander. ... Prevent pollen from getting inside by keeping windows and doors closed. ... Avoid mold spores. ... Control cockroaches. ... References.
How do you know if you are allergic to something in your house?
If you've developed an allergy to something in your home, you'll usually get itchy and runny eyes, a runny nose and inflamed, swollen sinuses. Breathing through your nose can be difficult too, and you might have a cough. If you have asthma, your symptoms might get worse.
What in my room could be causing allergies?
The bedroom is home to a slew of allergens including dust mites, pet dander, chemicals, dust, and molds. Here you may spend 6-8 hours a day sleeping, getting ready for the day, or simply relaxing—which means you have a longer exposure to microscopic critters and particles that cause allergies and allergy-like symptoms.
How do u know if u have dust mites?
Common dust mite allergy symptoms include:Sneezing.Runny nose.Itchy, red or watery eyes.Stuffy nose.Itchy nose, mouth or throat.Itchy skin.Postnasal drip (a flow of mucus from behind your nose into your throat)Cough.
How do you test for dust mites?
Blood (IgE) test The lab adds dust mite proteins to your blood sample and measures the levels of IgE antibodies in it. High levels of IgE antibodies indicate a dust mite allergy. It may take a week or longer to get the results from a blood test sent to a lab.
Are air purifiers good for allergies?
Air purifiers help filter out the majority of allergy-aggravating particles from the air, as well as tiny pollutants that have settled into your furniture, walls, and floors after a long year in quarantine.
How do I reduce indoor dust and dander?
Clean Your House Regularly Vacuuming with a HEPA filter at least once a week will also cut down on indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander. When dusting around your books and knick-knacks, use a microfiber or electrostatic cloth that will hold the dust instead of just moving it around.
How do I get rid of dust mites?
Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If bedding can't be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F (54.4 C) to kill the mites.
How do I prevent dust mites in my bedroom?
Cover mattresses and pillows with allergen encasements. Wash bedding in hot water (at least 120 degrees F) once a week. Reduce clutter, stuffed animals, and other places where dust mites live. If that's not possible, wash stuffed animals weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to kill and wash away dust mites.
How do you know if you have dust mites in your pillow?
SymptomsSneezing.Runny nose.Itchy, red or watery eyes.Nasal congestion.Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.Postnasal drip.Cough.Facial pressure and pain.More items...•
Do humidifiers help with allergies?
Increased humidity may ease breathing in children and adults who have asthma or allergies, especially during a respiratory infection such as a cold. But mist from a dirty humidifier or increased growth of allergens caused by high humidity can trigger or worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.
Do air purifiers remove allergens?
Air purifiers help filter out the majority of allergy-aggravating particles from the air, as well as tiny pollutants that have settled into your furniture, walls, and floors after a long year in quarantine.
How do you permanently get rid of dust allergies?
Lifestyle and home remediesUse allergen-proof bed covers. Keep your mattress and pillows in dustproof or allergen-blocking covers. ... Wash bedding weekly. ... Keep humidity low. ... Choose bedding wisely. ... Buy washable stuffed toys. ... Remove dust. ... Vacuum regularly. ... Cut clutter.More items...•
How do I rid my house of dust mites?
12 Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your HomeClean Bedding Frequently.Choose Bedding That's Easy to Clean.Add Protective Coverings to Mattresses.Remove Wall-to-Wall Carpeting.Vacuum Frequently.Lower Room Temperatures.Reduce Humidity in the Home.Remove Heavy Window Coverings.More items...•
How do you get rid of airborne allergies?
4 Ways to Remove Airborne Allergens From Your HomeRethink Your Cleaning Schedule. For many homeowners, optimizing the cleaning schedule is a key way to fight allergens. ... Change the Air Filter. ... Invest in an Air Purifier. ... Try a Whole-Home Dehumidifier.
How to clean mold from a house?
Remove nonwashable contaminated materials such as carpeting. Clean washable material with a solution of 5 percent chlorine bleach, and wear a protective mask when cleaning away mold. Check the roof and ceilings for water leaks.
How to keep a box spring from getting dust mites?
Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week in water heated to at least 130 F (54 C). Remove, wash or cover comforters. Replace wool or feather bedding with synthetic materials.
How to prevent mold in refrigerator?
Discard moldy or out-of-date food. Regularly empty and clean the dripping pan and clean or replace moldy rubber seals around doors.
What to do if you can't find a new home for your dog?
If you can't find a new home for your dog or cat, consider keeping it outside if weather permits. Fireplaces. Avoid the use of wood-burning fireplaces or stoves because smoke and gases can worsen respiratory allergies. Most natural gas fireplaces won't cause this problem.
What causes seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies will be caused mainly by pollen and the different types of pollen that are produced in the outdoor environment during certain seasons of the year. However, when it comes to the production of seasonal pollen is everyone allergic to these allergenic substance in the air? According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), nearly 8 percent of adults in the United States will experience hay fever or pollen allergies. Those individuals who suffer from seasonal pollen allergies are unlikely to go away once it develops, but there are remedies to alleviating these symptoms such as medication, allergy shots, and air quality products.
How do allergies work?
According to AAAAI, allergens are usually considered as harmless substances that when they enter into the human body will trigger a response that originates in the immune system and will produce an allergic reaction (allergy symptoms). When this reaction is elicited in the body’s immune system, it will also trigger the production of antibodies called IgE that works to defend your body against the allergen.
What are the most common allergens in the air?
Some of the most common allergens, that most people are aware of will include dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen, etc. These various allergens can be produced in both indoor and outdoor environments, depending on the specific allergen, and no matter where the allergen is created it can easily be spread from different environments through the air – thus, the reason behind seasonal allergy symptoms inside of your home.
What happens when the immune system responds to an allergen?
Once the immune system responds to the allergen in the body and releases the antibodies to attach to the harmful cells, the immune system will additionally release histamines. Histamines are chemicals that our bodies produce naturally, and these chemicals when faced with allergen exposure will be the chemical responsible for provoking the well-known allergy symptoms associated with allergies such as sneezing, itchy nose or eyes, runny nose, and watery eyes, according to WebMD.
How many Americans have an allergy to both indoor and outdoor allergens?
Did you know that one out of every five Americans has an allergy to either/both indoor and outdoor allergens? These allergens when you are exposed to them in an environment, whether that be inside of a home or outside in your yard, will provoke various allergenic symptoms that will overtake a person’s body during the time of exposure. What can you do when these allergy symptoms take place persistently inside of your home, and are there solutions to removing indoor allergens from a confined indoor air space?
When is allergy season?
Typically, seasonal allergies or hay fever will occur in late winter or spring. Whereas ragweed pollen will be produced during the summer and fall seasons. However, this schedule of pollen creation does not dictate the allergy levels in the environment, as some allergens can be year-round offenders and affect a person’s allergies sporadically throughout the year as exposure occurs.
How does the immune system react to an allergen?
Whenever an outside substance finds its way within the body, the immune system will be responsible for determining whether the substance is good for your body or if it is a potential threat to the body and health of an individual. As the substance enters into the body and is deemed to be a threat, the immune system will trigger and produce antibodies that will immediately attach to the harmful cells. In addition, these antibodies will also signal other cells to attack or destroy the invader (aka the allergen).
What are the most common indoor allergens?
The most common indoor allergens include house dust, pet dander, and mold. (We’ll look at each of those in-depth later in the article.) All of these allergens can make people miserable in winter when they are spending more time indoors, but people tend to be less affected by them when they start to get out more in spring and summer. Unfortunately, covid-19 put a wrench in that, and many people are left to suffer due to indoor allergens longer than usual as they comply with stay-at-home regulations.
What to do if you have allergies to pollen?
They can assess your symptoms, perform a physical exam and, if appropriate, administer an allergy test to help determine what your body is allergic to.
How to keep dust mites out of mattress?
For dust, wash your bedding and vacuum frequently. You can use HEPA air filters and invest in allergen-minimizing bedding. Some people debate the effectiveness of the bedding, but others say that it can effectively keep dust mites from colonizing in your mattress or pillow.
Can you take allergy shots at home?
Both are effective, but allergy drops are more convenient, as they have a higher safety profile and can be taken at home. Both allergy shots and allergy drops have been shown to be helpful for cat and dog allergies as well as allergies to mold and dust.
Does the immune system react with allergens?
Unfortunately, the immune system can be prone to confusion. As such, it perceives these allergens to be in the same class as germs and marshals all of its resources against them. That “marshaling” process involves releasing chemicals (such as histamine) into the body. These chemicals wreak havoc on the body’s tissues, causing nasal congestion, wheezing, asthma, eczema, hives, conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes), and more.
Can cockroaches cause allergies?
Cockroaches – Cockroach body parts and waste are another major component of house dust that can trigger allergies. Pets – You may have heard of hypo-allergenic cats and dogs, which often have short hair or no hair at all.
Can mold grow in basements?
Mold can grow in areas of the home that are prone to moisture and are not well-ventilated, such as bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Mold spores are airborne, and when you inhale them, your body may react to them with allergic rhinitis, sinus problems, coughing, wheezing and asthma.
What Causes Indoor Allergies?
An allergic sensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign "invader," a substance that is not native to your body. Exposure to this invader, an allergen, triggers the reaction.
What Are Indoor Allergy Symptoms and Signs?
The usual symptoms of indoor allergic reactions are those of many other allergic reactions:
What Are Indoor Allergy Treatments?
A variety of medications can be used to treat hay fever, eye symptoms, and asthma.
What Facts Should I Know About Indoor Allergens?
The usual symptoms and signs of indoor allergic reactions are those of many other allergic reactions.
What Exams and Tests Diagnose Indoor Allergens?
Generally, your physician will be able to identify the problem by examining you and asking questions. Treatment can begin without further evaluation or testing.
What Is the Medical Treatment for Indoor Allergies?
If symptoms do not improve, your physician may prescribe one or more medications. The medications do not cure the allergy, but relieve symptoms.
Why is it bad to keep windows open at night?
Keeping your windows open at night during seasons of high outdoor pollen and mold count may worsen your allergy symptoms or asthma because these high-concentration outdoor allergens are allowed into your house to settle. If you are sensitive to indoor allergens, you will continue to have symptoms as long as you are exposed to your allergens.
How to detect an allergen?
There are two ways to detect an allergen that is making you sick: through skin-prick testing, considered by many experts to be the gold standard, and through immunoglobulin E (IgE) blood testing . Unfortunately, according to Dr. Robert Reinhardt, MD, associate professor at Michigan State University and senior director of medical and regulatory affairs and quality management at Phadia, U.S., Inc., both of these types of tests are underused by physicians who are more likely to simply prescribe medications to treat allergy symptoms.
What is an allergen?
Learn about our Medical Review Board. Daniel More, MD. on September 08, 2020. An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Some examples of common allergens are dust mites, cat dander, and pollen. Sometimes people can have severe allergic reactions to these substances that can lead to breathing problems ...
Why is it important to dehumidify your home?
It is also important to dehumidify your home, since dust mites thrive in humid environments. Mold can be difficult to remove. Mold grows in moist areas, it may have grown in an area where you have had water damage from plumbing problems or flooding.
How to get rid of pet dander in bedroom?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, this might mean that you just need to keep your pet out of the bedroom, or you may need to regularly deep-clean the room thoroughly to get rid of residual pet dander, including all of your bedding. 2 Steam cleaning and dry cleaning may be necessary. If these measures fail, and your allergies don't improve, it may be necessary to find a new home for your pet if you're really suffering—let your healthcare provider be your guide.
How to get rid of dust mites in your house?
3 This includes curtains, blinds, and all bedding. Some sources recommend encasing your bedding in a plastic or rubber wrapping. It is also important to dehumidify your home, since dust mites thrive in humid environments.
Can you test your home for mold?
By taking samples of the dust around your home, you can receive a detailed report telling what allergens are in your home.
What are the causes of allergies?
The fist and main culprit to keep in mind, when it comes to indoor allergies, is dust and dust mites. Regular old dust is made up of tiny particles of food, plant and insect parts, and pet dander. Dust also contains microscopic mites and their waste products, according to AsthmaandAllergies.org. And that's when things get a bit more gross. The dust mite waste is what causes problems, as it contains a protein that is an allergen. Who knew?
Why do my allergies stick to my bathroom?
When it's no longer pollen-y spring, or humid summer, you've got to wonder what else could be causing your allergens to stick around. Often, it has to do with mold, and its annoying, allergy-inducing spores. It can often creep up in your bathroom, or behind the refrigerator, so keep an eye on these areas. "Mold likes humidity," said Ellen Greenlaw on WebMD. So don't take a shower without the fan on, fix leaky plumbing and pipes, and clean your bathroom on the regular. It should help keep the dreaded stuff from spreading.
How do you know if you are allergic to an apartment?
1. You Always Wake Up With Puffy Eyes. Early mornings are difficult enough without feeling all puffy and gross.
What happens if you don't vent your appliances?
If they're not vented to the outside, the gases they produce are coming directly into your living space ," Griffin said. To avoid this, you'll want to steer clear of unvented appliances if possible, or at least cook with the window open. 10.
Can you get allergies from opening windows?
If you're an allergy sufferer, then you know that an innocently opened window can spell disaster. That's because pollen floats on in, makes itself at home on all your surfaces, and turns your apartment into a veritable sneeze fest. But windows can affect your allergies in another way — with their gross, dusty curtains. When was the last time you cleaned your blinds, or threw your curtains in the wash? Never? Then it may be time.
Is humidity bad for mold?
But it will be even worse if you have allergies, since humidity helps breed mold. As Griffin said, "... moisture is a crucial ingredient for the growth of mold. Dust mites also thrive in a moist environment. So experts say that if you have allergies, you should try to keep humidity levels at 40 percent or below.".
Is mildew in a bathroom dangerous?
(That's a whole different, much more dangerous issue, by the way.) Regular old bathroom mildew also isn't great, but at least it's not as toxic.
