Environmental allergy is an immune reaction to something harmless around your surroundings or environment. Many things within our environment can trigger an environmental allergy though the symptoms vary from one person to another. It’s worth noting that environmental allergies are different from seasonal allergies because they can continue throughout the year. Further, there is a great difference between environmental allergies and other forms of allergies, such as food allergies, because they don’t occur due to something you have eaten in your diet or applied to the skin. These forms of allergies result from environmental triggers in your contact as you go about your day-to-day activities.

What are the main causes of environmental allergy?

There are several allergens in our surroundings that can cause environmental allergies, which may include the following:

Dust mites:

These are among the main indoor allergens that trigger environmental allergies. Dust mites are very tiny bugs found on beddings and furniture in your home. Someone who reacts to dust mites can experience severe symptoms during the summer and spring seasons. This is because dust mites love warm environments.

Pollen:

Pollen is another common allergen in our surroundings. The symptoms can be severe during the spring months.

Pet dander:

Pet dander is another common environmental allergy trigger. If you have pets or animals around your home, you may experience an allergic reaction to pet dander or animal fur/hair.

Mold:

Mold flourishes in damp environs such as bathrooms or attic spaces. You can suffer from serious acute symptoms if you are allergic to mold, especially during the cold and dump seasons. Cigarette smoke: Some people are affected by the irritating cigarette smoke resulting in serious allergic symptoms. This is known as second-hand smoke, and if you’re prone to allergies, it’s good to avoid exposure to the smoke.

Cockroaches

Some people react to droppings and saliva from cockroaches which may trigger an allergic reaction. Common signs and symptoms of environmental allergy:

Most of the environmental allergies symptoms are the same as cold or flu. They are:

• Frequent sneezing
• A runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Itchy nose, throat, and ears.
• Headaches
• Wheezing
• Lethargy
• Muscle weakness
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Hives

Diagnosis and Treatment of Environmental Allergy

For a precise diagnosis, our allergy specialist at American Wellness Center may perform the following tests:

Blood test: A blood test measures IgE antibodies levels. These are antibodies produced by your body when an allergic reaction happens.
Skin Prick test: Our doctor will perform a skin prick test with a likely allergen, and if your skin reacts, you have an allergy. The doctor will help you take some measures to keep off an environmental allergy. He can prescribe over-the-counter like antihistamines, nasal sprays, and anti-allergy eye drops.

How to prevent environmental allergies

The key to suffering from environmental allergies is to prevent them through some of the following measures:

• Keep all the windows closed, especially during the spring season, and use the AC to keep off pollen from the house.
• Always filter the air in your home. You can cover the AC vents and use HEPA air filters to keep off the pollen. Also, ensure that your air filters and air ducts are clean at all times.
• Maintain the humidity levels in your house below fifty percent to avoid mold growth. If you have an environmental allergy, you should keep off basements or crawl spaces since molds can grow and thrive in such places. You can also install dehumidifiers in such areas to avoid mold growth.
• Keep pets from your bedroom or furniture and clean them regularly. If possible, you can keep the pets outside the house.
• Don’t use scented products like detergents, cologne, and products with a strong smell, as they can trigger an allergic reaction.
• Ensure to air all the damp clothes outside the house before storing them.

At American Wellness Center, you can count on the vast professionalism and experience of our allergy specialists to help you overcome your bothersome environmental allergies. You can call us today and book an appointment with us!

Frequently Asked Questions?

1. Is there a permanent treatment for allergies?
There is no permanent cure for allergies. You can only prevent and keep them under control. There are medications that can ease the symptoms and you will need to check on your environments and make some changes to keep off allergy triggers.

2. How do allergies happen?
Allergy occurs when your immune system detects a harmless substance in the body treating it as a ‘threat’ and fights it off. This prompts your immune system to produce a chemical substance known as histamine causing an allergic reaction.

3. What are the most common types of allergies?

There are several types of allergies but the most common are:

• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Drugs allergies